There’s been no end of media coverage for yesterday’s unveiling of Oxford Circus’ new diagonal pedestrian crossing, which was modelled on Tokyo’s iconic Shibuya crossing. The Embassy of Japan and Japan Local Government Centre were both in attendance at the ceremony, which was opened by London mayor Boris Johnson:
This project is a triumph for British engineering, Japanese innovation and good old fashioned common sense. The head scratching frustration caused by the previous design is over and we’ve brought one of the world’s greatest crossroads into the twenty first century. Being able to cross in an oblique rather than a perpendicular fashion will make Oxford Circus incredibly more efficient for the millions of pedestrians and road users that use the crossing every year.
A representative of Tokyo Metropolitan Government also conveyed a greeting to the occasion:
On behalf of Governor Ishihara and the citizens of Tokyo, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and the citizens of the City of Westminster on the opening of the Oxford Circus Diagonal Crossing. We are very happy and honored to hear that this crossing was inspired by the renowned diagonal crossing in Shibuya, Tokyo.
As you may be aware, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Greater London Authority have developed closer relations to address common challenges facing major cities through initiatives such as the establishment of partnership relations and collaboration through the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group.
I sincerely hope our two cities will continue to inspire each other and build upon our friendly relations in the times ahead.
Regeneration & Renewal has more.
