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Over
recent months, although it seems like years, drivers, cyclists and
pedestrians alike having been getting to grips with all the changes
that have been taking place around our dearly loved Trafalgar Square.
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Kate
Allen
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"A
change is as good as a holiday" they say. Try saying that to
all the black cab drivers that have had to suffer the mayhem!
But
let's go back to the beginning, probably to before the time when
its most famous inhabitants, the pigeons, moved in!
Slap,
bang, in the middle of our beloved city, Trafalgar Square was built
in honour of Lord Admiral Nelson - the man that sailed to triumph
in 1805, on the good ship Victory, where he won the Battle of Trafalgar.
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the new bus routes>>
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the new traffic layout>>
The
square was originally designed in the 1830s by John Nash. At that
time, obviously , Mr Nash really didn't have the concerns of Mr
Livingstone.
Congestion
was probably not too much of a pressing issue for London at that
time, so roads were built around the square so all could come and
see. And they did.
For
the last 170 ish years (approximately!) people from all across the
globe have flocked to London's most popular tourist hub and landmark.
Whether
it has been to gaze up along the column into the sky in awe of the
18-foot statue of Lord Admiral Nelson which perches on the top (yes,
it really is that big!) or whether it's to feed the birds, 'tuppence
a bag', visitors have trekked for miles just to be there.
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| Nelson's
Column |
Back
in the time when it was first designed, built and enjoyed, it was
probably a very pleasant place to be. People strolling in and around
(or asquare?) sitting down, enjoying a picnic without fear of the
inevitable plop on the shoulder.
Today
things are a little different … traffic everywhere, noise,
hooting horns and people shouting to be heard over the top of it,
and of course pigeon poo.
People
dashing across the road to dodge the cars, accidents, bumps and
scrapes all going on at once. Hardly the scene of tranquillity.
It's
never quiet (even in the middle of the night) the Square is always
full of people (and pigeons).
If
you look abroad, especially to Europe, you find yourself wondering
through architecturally beautiful squares.
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You
notice the wonderful buildings around you, and spend time cricking
your neck upwards … this is because you can, you have time
to look up towards the sky.
A rare
thing indeed in London, especially if you value your life and don't
want to be run over by a passing road user or find yourself blinded
with, yes, that pigeon poo again.
'world
squares'
Recently
I visited Bilbao in Spain, it was a warm Monday afternoon as I sat
sipping fine wine in one of their many squares.
Not
only were restaurants quiet, clean and surrounded by beautiful buildings,
the square itself (the bars and restaurants were around the perimeter)
was absolutely full of children playing.
Parents
on the sidelines, they were free to play safely with no threat of
traffic. For similar reasons to this, I can only praise what has
been happening in our very own city to Trafalgar Square.
As
I said before "A change is as good as a holiday." With
a new open-air café serving light refreshments and drinks,
this is exactly what the changes could mean. Will we feel like we
are on holiday? Who's to say?
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Kate
has an unheathy obsession with pigeons
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The good
news does keep coming though, especially for people meandering around
the square. For the weak bladdered among us, … get this ….
there are also public toilets … a rarity for Central London,
I'm sure you'd agree. If only the pigeons would learn to use them!
Last
summer, the north side of the square was closed off to traffic,
to start the process of transforming it into a pedestrianised area.
This
linked the National Gallery to the square to offer visitors and
Londoners alike a whole new experience.
In
recent years we have seen such celebrations as South Africa Day,
Chinese New Year and St Patrick's Day, outdoor cinema and other
cultural events take place in the square, giving us a wee snippet
of what's to come. But will it be worth it?
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the new bus routes>>
See
the new traffic layout>>
In
the run up to the niceness that is to come (it will, 'He' promised
us) it has obviously caused some mayhem and maybe a bit of rage
on the roads.
With
the southside of the square now operational for two-way traffic,
and a new roundabout featuring also on the southside, road users
have had a frustrating few months adjusting to the new look London.
'improvement'
Whilst
the work has been carried out, congestion initially increased on
all the surrounding routes. Pre-congestion charging, The Strand
was permanently queueing from Waterloo Bridge, Whitehall bore the
brunt of the traffic too, especially as the new roundabout was erected.
When
the charge was introduced in Central London however, there was a
small change. Some days traffic would be lighter, but inevitably,
more lane closures and restrictions were set up which seemed to
aggravate the flow even more.
It
is still very busy around the south side of Trafalgar Square but
as the work is finished we should be able to see an improvement.
Having
driven around Trafalgar Square in my small little vulnerable car,
I can't say it that it has ever been enjoyable, so being encouraged
not to drive there is really quite good for someone like me. Unfortunately
for some people, its unavoidable, such as our poor cabbies, who
keep this city alive to a certain extent.
I'm
not promising anything but hopefully, with new and more allocated
parking for coaches and specific lanes for buses and taxis, the
remaining lanes that are open for traffic should remain pretty clear.
Again, we shall have to wait and see!
Now,
about those pesky pigeons ...........
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