Plans for Sloane Square shelved

Kensington & Chelsea Council bowed to pressure after 65% of local residents and visitors opposed the scheme to create a crossroads in the square.

Opponents, including broadcaster Sue Lawley, said the plans would increase traffic on neighbouring roads.

Kensington & Chelsea council said it would be recommending to "not proceed with our favoured scheme".

Enormous relief

Council leader Merrick Cockell said: "The consultation has thrown up a mass of detailed concerns, many of them about traffic, and it would be irresponsible to proceed while people have these anxieties."

The council favoured the crossroads scheme following two earlier consultations which indicated a significant majority of residents in favour of the idea, the authority said.

However, when campaigners from Save Sloane Square emerged the council funded its ideas, allowing them to be worked up into an alternative scheme.

A total of 6,800 people took part in the third consultation.

Chairman of Save Sloane Square, Dr James Thompson, said: "It's an enormous relief that we've saved the square."

He added: "The traffic impact was going to be considerable."

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Kensington and Chelsea Council
Save Sloane Square
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