Press Release

Trafalgar Square re-opens
2-7-2003   284

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, today re-opens Trafalgar Square at a ceremony marking the completion of the eighteen-month construction project to transform the world famous square.

The Mayor said:

'I am delighted to give the square back to Londoners in its new and improved version.  London’s central square is a space which all Londoners can now enjoy in safety and comfort. Trafalgar Square was originally dedicated to the public for their `free and unfettered use’.  Today with the pedestrianisation and other improvements it meets that objective more than at any time since it was first built.

`The pedestrianisation of the north side of the Square and the introduction of modern facilities for refreshments and easier access puts Trafalgar Square on a par with the great central squares in Europe.

`The new Square opens a safe pedestrian vista from Leicester Square right through to the new Hungerford Bridge, the Tate Modern and the South Bank.

`The new Trafalgar Square will also be London’s Stage with a programme of events open to all throughout the summer culminating in the first of what will be many Trafalgar Square concerts on the 31 August.’

The scheme, which was masterminded by Foster and Partners, includes a new café serving light refreshments and drinks, plus facilities that include a lift providing disabled access and public toilets.

Schoolchildren from Ben Jonson School (Tower Hamlets), Gallions School (Newham) and Wingfield School (Greenwich) will help the Mayor pull apart a giant red silk drape, unveiling the grand central staircase which will take people down from the new piazza in front of the National Galley into the lower square. The Mayor will also visit the Square’s first ever café, which will open to the public on Friday.

In addition to the creation of the piazza, central staircase and new public facilities, the recently completed work on Trafalgar Square and in the immediate vicinity introduced high quality paving, lighting, street furniture and landscaping.  A new paved area in front of St Martin-in-the-Fields has created a more dignified setting for the church and the Edith Cavell statue. 

These changes complement the improvements made by the Mayor when he took over management of Trafalgar Square in late 2000; including introducing higher cleaning standards and employing Heritage Wardens to protect the fabric of the Square and deter petty crime twenty-four hours a day. The works were completed within eighteen months and within budget.

In two weeks' time visitors to the Square will be able to take full advantage of the new surroundings when the Mayor's Summer in the Square programme of free musical and other performances begins on Sunday 13 July running until September.

Notes to Editors

1. The Trafalgar Square construction project was completed with assistance of a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
2. The unveiling event includes street performance and musical stilt walking by Chromarama and bell ringing in St Martin-in-the-Fields. There will also be a procession featuring Mahogany Carnival Band accompanied by Cardboard Citizens and community gospel choir, Kingdom Choir.

2. Pictures of the Trafalgar Square opening and new facilities can be downloaded from www.pressrooms.net/wsfa
3. For information about Summer in the Square programme visit the website at: www.london.gov.uk/mayor/trafalgar_square/sits-03/index.jsp. 

For more information contact Ben McKnight / Sangeeta Haindl / Catherine Mattison in the Mayor's press office on 020 7983 /4071 / 4068 / 4020 (numbers not for publication)
For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000
For non-media enquiries please call the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100

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