Plan to scrap one-way Piccadilly

Planners think the new system would cut down on rat-runs

The one-way traffic system at London's Piccadilly Circus could be replaced under £10m plans to cut congestion.

Westminster City Council wants to re-introduce two-way traffic in five streets around the area, reversing a system put in place in the 1960s.

Councillor Colin Barrow called on the Mayor of London Boris Johnson to offer finance and support to the project.

A spokeswoman for the mayor said the Transport for London budget was already "fully accounted for".

'Extremely supportive'

The spokeswoman said: "Westminster Council are aware that Transport for London's budget is now fully accounted for and the mayor has already committed to providing financial support for a great deal of improvement work in central London.

"However, if they are able to put together detailed proposals, perhaps alongside funding from other government or private sources, then they would be able to apply for funds available for 'area based schemes' that every borough is able to bid for."

Councillor Colin Barrow has asked London mayor Boris Johnson to help finance it

Mr Barrow said the mayor had been extremely supportive so far and invested tens of millions of pounds in West End projects.

"However, we cannot rest on our laurels and the task of enhancing this economically vital area of London needs as much vision and funding as we can muster," he added.

"Westminster is a world city of strategic economic importance to the whole of the UK - so investment in the West End is not just a local issue."

The Piccadilly Circus scheme is one of seven projects Westminster Council hopes Mr Johnson will agree to support financially.

The council is putting up £20m and it hopes the mayor will match the sum.