From 21-24 February, Baker Street, Gloucester Place and Oxford Street (between Marble Arch and Orchard Street) will be progressively closed to traffic to reinstate the Two Way traffic movement. The closure will enable road markings to be painted and the installation of temporary central islands. For safety reasons, permanent central islands cannot be built during this period.
This work is dependent on the weather, therefore the switchover could potentially be delayed if there is bad weather such as heavy rain. Please sign up to the Two Way newsletter here to remain informed.
Since 2015, City of Westminster, Transport for London, The Portman Estate and Baker Street Quarter Partnership have worked to transform Baker Street and Gloucester Place into harmonious and safe streets that enable people to travel with ease. In doing so, they have undergone various works and phases, such as enhancing key junctions and resurfacing works, to reintroduce two-way traffic flow on Baker Street and Gloucester Place. Subject to weather conditions, the closure from 21-24 February will be one of the final phases before fully commencing the Two Way.
The closures will occur progressively starting from 8:00pm on Thursday 21 February until Sunday 24 February.
Although the roads will close in stages, once they close they will not fully re-open until the entire area is ready for two-way for traffic – projected for Sunday 24 February.
Phasing of closures: The work will be done in four phases.
Phase 1: 8:00pm Thursday 21 February – closure of Gloucester Place and Portman Street
between Oxford Street and Marylebone Road.
Phase 2: 10:00am Friday 22 February – closure of Gloucester Place between Marylebone
Road and Park Road.
Phase 3: 8:00pm Friday 22 February – closure of Park Road and Baker Street from Rossmore Road to Marylebone Road.
Phase 4: 8:00am Saturday 23 February – closure of Baker Street and Orchard Street from Marylebone Road to Oxford Street, and Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Orchard Street.
For full details of phasing, please refer to the Baker Street Two Way Leaflet.
Traffic will be diverted via Edgware Road and St John’s Wood Road while Gloucester Place and Baker Street are closed. All other local roads will remain open, however roads are expected to be busier than usual so please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. Access to emergency vehicles will not be affected and marshals will be in place to help direct traffic.
To ensure safety, travel ambassadors will be in the area to help pedestrians during and after the switch. Access will be maintained throughout the works. Shops and businesses will be open as normal. Businesses are advised to arrange deliveries and collections outside of the closures as access will be limited.
Following the Two Way switch on 21-24 February, there will be a period of six weeks when works will be paused to allow traffic to get used to the new layout. After this period, the remaining works will be completed, including:
- Building permanent central islands
- Resurfacing on Baker Street between Dorset Street and Blandford Street
- Applying coloured, high friction surfacing at all junctions
- Works at Portman Mews South
All works are scheduled to be finished by June 2019.
