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The RIBA has been asked to run an architectural competition to design the pedestrianisation of Oxford Circus.

The high-profile contest will launch later this summer after decades of wrangling over the iconic junction in London鈥檚 West End.

Publica has drawn up the initial proposals for Westminster council which have been released today.

They envisage the area around Oxford Circus being transformed into two pedestrian piazzas in an effort to tackle chronic congestion, air pollution and noise to make the heart of the West End a more attractive destination.

As part of a 拢235m package, , including around the new Bond Street station and Marble Arch where MVRDV is to create a 25 metre tall artificial mountain.

Oxford Circus, which attracted international publicity when pedestrians were given the right to cross diagonally, is often dangerously overcrowded. Westminster council said Crossrail would bring a further 60 million pedestrians a year, with 70% of them arriving by Tube.

Westminster council leader, Rachael Robathan, said: 鈥淭here is an urgent need to tackle issues with pedestrian congestion and safety, poor air quality and noise.

鈥淭he serious congestion of Oxford Circus, of people and of traffic, is unsustainable and demands action.

鈥淚n the aftermath of the pandemic, and with the arrival of the Elizabeth line, there is an overwhelming need and a compelling opportunity to build back better; a business-as-usual approach will no longer work.鈥�

She said that by prioritising people over vehicles, the changes aimed to improve air quality. Works on Oxford Circus would reduce vehicle traffic and improve efficiency of bus journeys across the area, she said. The scheme is linked with Westminster council鈥檚 鈥楪reenways鈥� project, which is designed to improve the experience of cyclists across the borough.

The council has pledged 拢150m to improving the Oxford Street area.

The first phase of work 鈥� two car-free piazzas either side of Oxford Circus 鈥� is due to complete this year, while phase two, 鈥渕ajor improvements to the public realm鈥�, will start in spring 2022. Traffic will be allowed along Regent Street, north and south of Oxford Circus.

The competition will seek proposals for 鈥渨orld-class designs鈥� and 鈥渧alue for money鈥�.