Parliament Square Garden

Parliament Square was designed by Charles Barry in 1868. The aim was to improve traffic conditions. This worked, but the square has always been an isolated patch of green. It has a visual role in providing a setting for the House of Commons, also designed by Barry, but it does not have a useful social role - because it is so difficult to access. Nonetheless, Parliament Square was included in the World Squares for All project - which led to the pedestrianisation of the north side of Trafalgar Square.

What should be done?

HOMEPAGE - Landscape Architecture London List

• over 2 years ago Tom said

  We are still waiting for a good way of getting to the grass in Parliament Square. See House of Lords Debates: (HL Deb 24 July 1991 vol 531 cc776-9) Lord Monson said: "My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for that informative reply. Is he aware that pedestrians crossing Bridge Street at the junction with Parliament Square are allocated a mere 12.5 seconds to cross in every minute-and-a-half; that is, eight-and-one-third minutes in every hour? In practice the position is even worse. Pedestrians, many of whom are elderly, infirm or foreign tourists unused to traffic driving on the left, often have less than 10 seconds to cross because of the volume of traffic which continues to emerge from Parliament Square in the direction of Westminster Bridge long after the pedestrian lights have turned green. Will the noble Earl and his department try to persuade the appropriate authority to rephase the traffic lights to give pedestrians an even greater chance of survival? Is the noble Earl aware also that motorists emerging from Chancellor's Gate towards Parliament Square must negotiate an extremely sharp and dangerous right hand turn because of the presence of a traffic island in the middle of the road?"

• over 2 years ago Anonymous said

  how do i get the square? Is there a crossing at all?