Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme King William Street
Phase one of the City Corporation’s transformation of King William Street is now substantially complete. The improvements form part of the Pedestrian Priority Streets Programme to make walking safer, easier, and more accessible in the Square Mile, with nicer places for people to spend time in. On King William Street, these included:
- More space for people with wider pavements on both sides of the street and a narrower carriageway that’s quicker and easier to cross
- New seating and wider accessibility improvements
- 11 trees to be planted in late 2025, with more expected to follow in phase two of the project
- Raised junctions at side streets to provide a level surface, slow turning vehicles and reinforce priority for people walking and wheeling
- Raised sections of carriageway to slow vehicles and make the street easier to cross at Lombard Street and St Swithin’s Lane
- An improved highways drainage system
- A new purpose-built inset and timed loading bay
- A better crossing on the approach to Monument, providing full dropped kerbs to improve accessibility
Next steps
Construction of the scheme has been split into two phases to facilitate the new development at 10 King William Street. Phase one is substantially complete and included the entire street apart from the section between Nicholas Lane and Abchurch Lane. Our contractors will return to complete this second phase of work once the development at 10 King William Street is nearing completion, estimated in 2027, but dependent on the progress of the new building.
Two-way cycling permitted but motor vehicle diversions remain
From 18 August 2025, cycles are able to travel in both directions on King William Street again. However, the southbound restriction to motor vehicle traffic remain to facilitate the 10 King William Street development. Buses will remain on diversion, so remember to check before you travel, as diversions may change.
Who to contact
If you have an enquiry regarding the Pedestrian Priority Programme at King William Street, please contact the Pedestrian Priority team.