Bank Junction – All Change at Bank

Improvements to Bank Junction

The City of London Corporation made changes to Bank Junction in 2017 to reduce the number of vehicles passing across the junction to improve public safety as part of a trial scheme to improve road safety with other benefits for the public realm including air quality.

Bank Junction has consequently seen significant improvement in the public realm and this continues now into works to improve King William Street.

But, problems getting a black cab around Bank

However, one unintended consequence is that it has become increasingly difficult to hail or book a Licenced Hackney carriage (black cab or black taxi) in the area around Bank.

Following a successful campaign by Cabs Across Bank led by Deputy James Thomson CBE and Alderman Tom Hailes FKC, a trail to allow access for black taxis to cross Bank east to west and west to east will be commenced in Spring 2025.

It is expected that will improve the availability of black taxis 24/7/365 for those that need them including business users, hospitality trade users, visitors to the City, the mobility challenged and for safety at night.

For further details of Cabs Across Bank please visit their website.

Original objectives for Bank Junction

At that time, the City Corporation highlighted a longer-term vision, the All Change at Bank project with the aim of:

  • Simplifying the junction to make it safer
  • Reducing crowding and make it more comfortable to walk
  • Improving air quality; and
  • Improving the perception of place, as a place to spend time in rather than pass through​

Consultation on Bank

The City Corporation carried out a consultation on proposed changes for the junction to reprioritise space to people who walk and cycle which closed last month. The consultation asked for feedback on the proposals that would operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week to:

  • Close Threadneedle Street between Bank Junction and Bartholomew Lane in both directions to create a walking and cycling only area
  • Close Queen Victoria Street between Bucklersbury and Bank Junction for motor vehicles, except those vehicles exiting Walbrook in a westbound direction
  • Keep Princes Street open for buses and cycles only northbound, and in addition as a route for servicing to Cornhill in a southbound direction

The new street layouts were designed to facilitate the proposals for wider, shorter and quicker pedestrian crossings, improved cycle facilities and proposals to enhance the greening, seating and general pleasantness of the environment.

Image showing the widening of footways and crossings at Bank junction

Improving Bank below ground – London Underground

In addition to the changes above ground, Transport for London have undertaken a major refurbishment and improvement of Bank Underground and connectivity between underground lines. For further details please see the link.

We do want hear your ideas on this or any other matter affecting you and the City – please do contact us.