How Oxford Circus shoppers will beat crosstown traffic

It is a view seen every day in the teeming streets of Tokyo.

As red lights hold back traffic at a major junction, shoppers, tourists and office workers stream over the road in all directions, cutting across each other's paths.

Now pedestrians in the West End will be able to benefit from a Japanese-style "scramble crossing" after plans were unveiled for big changes to Oxford Circus.

Westminster council wants to rip out existing barriers and street clutter and remodel the crossings. Traffic lights would be rephased so that vehicles from all four directions would be stopped simultaneously for 30 seconds. This will allow people to walk across the junction diagonally in safety for the first time.

The scheme is based on Tokyo's Shibuya District crossings, renowned for allowing people to get around with ease.

In a nine-week consultation, launched today, Londoners are being asked for their views on the proposed new layout, which forms part of a £40 million investment programme for the retailing trinity of Oxford, Regent and Bond streets.

Danny Chalkley, Westminster's cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We want to make it as easy as possible for the 200 million visitors a year who come to the West End to get around on foot.

"The parallels between Shibuya and the West End are stark: apart from both locations being hugely popular, they are also important fashion and entertainment areas.

"These proposals will bring a slice of Tokyo to Oxford Circus, and are part of a whole series of improvements already taking place to ensure the West End looks truly impressive in time for 2012." Work on the scheme is due to start in summer next year and should take about nine months.

The scheme may spark concerns among motorists that the new traffic light phasing will create more delays for vehicles.

A Westminster spokesman said: "We have not yet worked out the phasing, but it will change in accordance with demand at different times of day to keep people, and traffic, moving." Under the wider plans, Oxford, Regent and Bond streets will be given wider shopper-friendly pavements. A series of side street "oases" for al fresco dining will also be created. The project is led by the council and co-funded by Transport for London, the New West End Company and The Crown Estate.

Richard Dickinson of New West End said: "With 250,000 people entering or leaving Oxford Circus station every day, it's essential their first ground-level view and experience is pleasing."