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Parliament Square poised to be next London landmark pedestrianised – but politicians voice alarm that cyclists will run riot
Plans to pedestrianise Parliament Square are moving towards public consultation early next year, after decades of debate and delays. The £80 million project is intended to improve the area and strengthen security, following the 2017 Westminster attack, but politicians have raised concerns about how cyclists will share the space with pedestrians.
MPs and peers are expected to consider a business case before Christmas, and the scheme could be fully in place by 2031. Buses would be excluded, with limited access for taxis and school coaches; proposed safety measures include managing cyclists’ use of the square. Funding arrangements remain under negotiation between Parliament, Transport for London and Westminster City Council, while the final design may differ from concepts published in 2023.
In short
- Parliament Square pedestrianisation plans are advancing.
- The £80 million scheme could be completed by 2031.
- Peers want safeguards against fast-moving cyclists.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Pedestrianising Parliament Square could make a heavily visited public space safer and more welcoming, while reducing conflicts with motor traffic and improving security around Parliament. With careful design and clear rules for cycling, the project could preserve access for people travelling by bike while giving pedestrians more room.
The case against
The square is an important route as well as a destination, and restricting cycling could make journeys less convenient or divert riders onto less suitable streets. If cyclists are allowed through without effective design and enforcement, conflicts with pedestrians may persist; critics may also question whether an £80 million scheme is good value while its funding and final design remain unsettled.