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20
August 1998
Plans for the pedestrianisation of parts of Trafalgar Square and
Parliament Square are unveiled by the Deputy Prime Minister, John
Prescott.
The £50m project will implement Sir Norman Foster’s World
Squares for All masterplan.
The scheme was given the backing of London Transport and English
Heritage.
 See
the computer generated image of how the square will look when finished
30 August 2001
Planning permission is granted for the physical alterations to close
the North Terrace to traffic and construct the new staircase.
1
September 2002
Work
begins on Trafalgar Square and the North Terrace is closed to traffic.
The north road is shut as part of the £25m scheme to improve
the experience for people visiting the tourist attraction.
By
closing the road, visitors will be able to cross to the National
Gallery without having to negotiate five lanes of traffic.
Although posters and leaflets were distributed to warn motorists
of the change, some confusion is anticipated.
The
Greater London Authority (GLA) believes the popular tourist attraction
is being choked by traffic and needs to be more pedestrian-friendly.
It plans to reduce cars circling the square and create a new public
space that will become a centre for concerts, street entertainment
and other events.
2
September 2002
Bus drivers and confused motorists face delays in central London
as work on the pedestrianisation of part of Trafalgar Square continues.
31
October 2002
Work to create a grand central staircase in Trafalgar Square is
starting nearly 160 years after the square was completed.
Dismantling of the wall begins to make way for a staircase linking
the square with the pavement in front of the National Gallery.
A central staircase was first envisaged by William Wilkins, who
designed the National Gallery in 1831.
Plans for a staircase were shown in William Railton’s original
design for the Nelson memorial and were also pursued by Charles
Barry, the architect responsible for ht efountains and lay-out of
the square.
The stones from the dismantled wall will be used for the staircase.
8 November 2002
The final details of the Mayor of London's plans to transform Trafalgar
Square are announced.
It
was confirmed on 7 November by the Westminster City Council planning
committee that a new open-air café serving light refreshments
and drinks will be permitted on the Square.
New facilities, including a lift providing disabled access and public
toilets, will also be built.
31
Dec 2002
Trafalgar Square is closed for usual New Year celebrations because
of the building work.
The
pedestrian area is closed to the public because of work to extend
it to the steps of the National Gallery.
July
Trafalgar Square re-opens.
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