Sunday shutdown for Embankment

The Embankment could be turned into a grand, pedestrian-only boulevard in a bold scheme to create a riverside linear park.

One of the capital's busiest thoroughfares would close to traffic on Sundays under proposals from architect Richard Rogers, appointed by Ken Livingstone to transform London's public spaces.

Lord Rogers wants to transform the north bank of the river, between Westminster and Blackfriars bridges. Victoria Embankment Gardens would be remodelled, with fences and walls removed and drivers forced to give way to pedestrians.

But it is his proposal to close the road completely on Sundays, with traffic diverted via Trafalgar Square or Waterloo, that will be most controversial.

Lord Rogers said : "There are lots of gardens and open spaces along the Embankment, but all have their backs to the river. There are some of the views in London, but you can't enjoy them because of the traffic."

Lord Rogers, who travels around London by bicycle, told The Times: "It's annoying for drivers to lose some of their access, but they need to think of other people."

Transport for London said it would study his plans with interest.