What do people think?

The public
A major public consultation on the plans for Trafalgar Square prior to its redevelopment found 75 per cent of people in favour of the scheme; 65 per cent of residents, 89 per cent of visitors to the area and 81 per cent of those working in the area.

One resident commented:
"It will be used as a communal place. It will be more appealing … you can bring your family there."

Charles Saumarez-Smith, Director of the National Gallery
"The scheme will revitalise the approach to the National Gallery and will enable us to extend our welcome to our visitors. The traffic-free area opens up a splendid vista from Trafalgar Square to the National Gallery and will greatly enhance the setting for William Wilkins elegant façade."

Lord Foster, architect of the scheme
"Trafalgar Square will be transformed with all traffic removed in front of the National Gallery and the centre of the Square made accessible for Londoners and visitors alike. Our proposals will create a new heart for London by improving the balance between pedestrians and vehicles - a blue print for urban regeneration. There will be only one pedestrian crossing between Soho and the South Bank; the new pedestrian plaza in St Martin's Place will become a focus for the great cultural institutions around it.

Sir Jocelyn Stevens, former Chairman of English Heritage
"English Heritage warmly welcomes the proposed removal of traffic from the north side of Trafalgar Square and the reuse of the Square as a major new urban space for Londoners. The reconnection of the heart of the Square with the area to the north will be a major gain for the Capital.

"We also welcome the series of other measures proposed to make Trafalgar Square more people-friendly and to preserve and enhance the appearance of the Square and the setting of the many listed buildings surrounding it."

Reverend David Monteith, Associate Vicar, St Martin-in-the-Fields
"At St Martin-in-the-Fields, the oldest organisation on Trafalgar Square, we welcome this much needed and imaginative improvement. The World Square initiative will enhance the urban environment and ensure that the historic significance and lively enjoyment of the Square can be made more available to Londoners and our visitors from around the world."


Trafalgar Square	Home > Transformation of the square > What do people think?
Visiting the square In and around Events Managing the square Transformation Improved access Reopening ceremony People's views History	What do people think? The public A major public consultation on the plans for Trafalgar Square prior to its redevelopment found 75 per cent of people in favour of the scheme; 65 per cent of residents, 89 per cent of visitors to the area and 81 per cent of those working in the area. One resident commented: "It will be used as a communal place. It will be more appealing … you can bring your family there." Charles Saumarez-Smith, Director of the National Gallery "The scheme will revitalise the approach to the National Gallery and will enable us to extend our welcome to our visitors. The traffic-free area opens up a splendid vista from Trafalgar Square to the National Gallery and will greatly enhance the setting for William Wilkins elegant façade." Lord Foster, architect of the scheme "Trafalgar Square will be transformed with all traffic removed in front of the National Gallery and the centre of the Square made accessible for Londoners and visitors alike. Our proposals will create a new heart for London by improving the balance between pedestrians and vehicles - a blue print for urban regeneration. There will be only one pedestrian crossing between Soho and the South Bank; the new pedestrian plaza in St Martin's Place will become a focus for the great cultural institutions around it. Sir Jocelyn Stevens, former Chairman of English Heritage "English Heritage warmly welcomes the proposed removal of traffic from the north side of Trafalgar Square and the reuse of the Square as a major new urban space for Londoners. The reconnection of the heart of the Square with the area to the north will be a major gain for the Capital. "We also welcome the series of other measures proposed to make Trafalgar Square more people-friendly and to preserve and enhance the appearance of the Square and the setting of the many listed buildings surrounding it." Reverend David Monteith, Associate Vicar, St Martin-in-the-Fields "At St Martin-in-the-Fields, the oldest organisation on Trafalgar Square, we welcome this much needed and imaginative improvement. The World Square initiative will enhance the urban environment and ensure that the historic significance and lively enjoyment of the Square can be made more available to Londoners and our visitors from around the world."	Did you know? There are Heritage Wardens on duty in the square, to provide help to visitors including answering queries about local attractions and the square’s heritage.