Trafalgar Square - famed for Nelson's Column, pigeons, New Year's festivities - and for being one of the capital's biggest bus stops.

See the new bus routes>>
See the new traffic layout>>

Jules Wilson

It's a familiar sight to see legions of the eye catching red buses wending their way through traffic jams in the heart of the West End but with the introduction of the first stage of the World Squares for All scheme, such snarl-ups
should become a relic of the past.

The scheme aims to transform Trafalgar Square into a world class space to benefit Londoners and visitors alike and not before time, hopes to create a happy, working relationship between traffic and pedestrians.

You could be forgiven for making the assumption that with the focus so much on the man on foot, traffic flow will suffer accordingly, after all with new pedestrian crossings and more pedestrian-friendly areas come wider pavements and more parking.

We'll also be seeing more paved areas at North Terrace, St Martin's Place, and the Irving Place Building.

See the new bus routes>>
See the new traffic layout>>

But with a new roundabout to enhance the setting of the Charles I statue the redirection of traffic and pedestrian flow should actually be a help rather than a hindrance to your journey.

Despite the removal of vehicles from the north side outside the National Gallery, traffic will be able to enter the Mall from The Strand, Northumberland Avenue and Charing Cross Road and will be allowed along the eastern side of the square.

Buses in London

Buses have been given priority in the new traffic system with new bus lanes and reserved routes around the square, finally knocking all that free-for-all jostling on the head.

Eight and a half million London journeys are made on public transport and the lions share of these are made on the humble bus.

Four and a half million bus users will delight in the knowledge that not only can they continue to hop on and off at will but will have the added bonus of a brighter, livelier, more colourful and less clogged up Trafalgar Square to admire.

The changes will mean that bus stops for a small number of services can no longer be accessed on the northern side of the square but with careful consideration and extensive research a new, improved bus timetable is on offer.

Let's hope the tide of improvement spreads fast and proves as effective in Whitehall and Parliament Square, the next and final stages of the scheme.

Take a Thames Tour of Rotherhithe including the home of London's whaling and timber trades

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