The final consultation on Cycleway C43 closes on Wednesday 6 August. There is huge concern locally about the impact on traffic flows.
We spoke to local Marylebone Councillors Barbara Arzymanow, Ian Rowley and Karen Scarborough to hear first-hand the concerns of local people.
The Council have published new maps illustrating the extent of the cycleway on George Street. Under the initial proposals, the segregated cycleway was to be stopped between Seymour Place and Gloucester Place Mews, as shown in red on the map below.
Now, Cllr Max Sullivan, the new Cabinet Member for Highways, has narrowed the width of the segregated cycleway and left just 5.5 metres for two-way traffic, which is marked in dark blue in the above map.
This would not allow lorries, the emergency services or waste recycling vehicles to pass comfortably. All parking will be removed, which will make loading and unloading even more difficult. Double yellow lines will be placed along the side of the segregated cycleway, as marked on the map.
The consultation began on Wednesday, 16 July, although we didn't receive the updated information until Friday, 26 July.
Labour Councillor Max Sullivan refuses to extend the consultation period. Running the consultation during the summer holidays is, he says, following the law. However, we believe this isn’t fair, and your Conservative Councillors feel strongly about a moral responsibility. Parents of school children may miss their chance to take part as schools are closed and will not be able to inform the parents. We’re also concerned that the proposed scheme mainly helps younger, fitter people and does not benefit the elderly, disabled, or families with young children.
Your Councillors strongly urge all local residents to have their say in the George Street consultation. The Mayor of London has confirmed plans to turn Oxford Street into a pedestrian zone, which will mean more traffic in Marylebone. Everyone who lives in Marylebone should respond to the consultation, no matter where in the area they are. When Marylebone said no to the first consultation in 2023, Westminster City Council said it wasn’t a referendum and that every opinion counted. We need your help to win the argument again!
Any objections or other representations about the proposals should be sent in writing to the Council’s agents, WSP Traffic Order Team, 3rd Floor, WSP House, 70 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1AF or by email to [email protected] quoting reference 8141-B/LH, by Wednesday 6 August 2025.
All objections must specify the grounds on which they are made. In view of the Mayor of London’s plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street, there is simply not enough room on George Street for two-way traffic for heavy vehicles and for loading and unloading. There will be increased traffic along rat-runs, already a problem on many Marylebone side streets. Marylebone is most likely to carry the brunt of displaced traffic from the Mayor of London's plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, so a joined-up solution for the area would make the most sense. We don’t accept that C43 is independent of Oxford Street.
