Oxford Circus Pedestrian Improvements

Westminster City Council, together with its partners (Transport for London, the New West End Company), and key stakeholder - The Crown Estate, are embarking on a series of pedestrian improvements to Oxford Circus to enhance the public realm and ease the problem of overcrowding

The improvements include:
The provision of diagonal pedestrian crossings;
Extending pavement widths to reduce congestion and give pedestrians more space to move;
Removal of street clutter;
The removal of the underground public toilets and the possible provision of accessible replacement facilities nearby;
Resurfacing footways with high quality granite and York-stone paving.

Works to implement the scheme are scheduled to take place from April through to November 2009 and are expected to cause some localised disruption.
These improvements will be implemented in a series of phases, and will involve work on Oxford Circus, Princes Street, Little Argyll Street, John Princes Street, and Great Castle Street

Please see a map and a video animation illustrating the phasing of the works.

The City Council is working closely with its partners, including Transport for London, to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible. Oxford Circus will remain open to traffic throughout the works, and the Underground Station will also continue to operate.

The site office and works compound will be located in Princes Street for the duration of the project. Once works are completed, this area will become a new pedestrian space and vehicular access between Regent Street and Princes Street will not be restored.

For further information please contact the West End Team at orbactionplan@westminster.gov.uk.

PHOTOS: Ayoub mzee

Statement of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission on the results of the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh

I came to Pittsburgh to secure a real commitment from the G20 to a sustainable, ethical and balanced global economy. These values must guide our future decisions as the G20 becomes the central global economic policy forum. Having seen the central role played by the EU in the creation of the G20 at leaders’ level a year ago, I am particularly happy with the decisions taken today and the new permanent role of the G20.
The G20 has shown its worth by helping to avoid an economic meltdown. But we are not yet out of the crisis, with far too many people still losing their jobs. This is no time for complacency or a return to business as usual. It is time for delivery and a new global order reflecting the reality of economic interdependence.
I believe we have established the foundations for global rules which will allow the world to prosper through open markets and resist the temptation of protectionism. We have the right basis also to support the developing world and in particular to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
We have agreed to tighter coordination of our main economic policies. The G20 is the right place to drive the global recovery forward and deliver a coherent exit strategy. We need modern international financial institutions that can deliver and push through the implementation of our commitments.
We have agreed to rein in exorbitant bonuses and hold international finance to account. Financial markets must concentrate on ethical long-term investment not reckless short-term gambling. Europe is leading the way and is offering a model of financial supervision and smart regulation which can inspire others.
But we will only achieve a full and sustainable recovery if we also tackle climate change and kick-start trade. This is a test of credibility for the G20 – failure is not an option. I do not hide my concern at the slow rate of progress. Negotiations cannot be an open ended process. It’s time to get serious now, not later. The next G20 must be able to look back at a successful Copenhagen Conference and look forward to the positive impact of a trade and development deal.

President Kikwete speaks on Millenium
Challenge Corporation in
New York ..
President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete(Second left) Burkina Faso president Blaise Compaore(third Left), The Prime Minister of Albania Sali Berisha(Left) and the Inter Action President and CEO Samuel Worthington(fourth left) clap at the end of a panel discussion on the Importance of Country led development organised by the Millenium Challenge Corporation in collaboration with Inter Action at the UN Millenium Plaza in New York, this morning. President Kikwete is in New York for the UN General Assembly.Photo by Freddy Maro/State House

Stephano Juma akiw amebebwa na baba yake hospitali ya Taifa ya Muhimbili
Mwanzoni mwa Matibabu yake

stephano Juma kabla ya kutibiwa

Baba Mzazi wa Stephano akiwa na Mwanae baada ya Kupona na Marissawa Lagmann of SickKids Toronto

Mtoto Stephano Sasa
Mambo yake Safi..
---
Dear Friends!The Tanzania Community in Toronto is holding a farewell party for Stephano on September 26; before his return to Tanzania On October 18,2009.He looks great after more than six years of trying to get help without success! Seeabove.
I read about Stephano in the Guardian and met him last May and was moved to act.Thanks to the many in Dar es Salaam and Toronto who helped...to mention a few.Marissa Lagmann of SickKids Toronto;Mwesiga Baruti,and Thomas Kimata of Dar es Salaam;Canadian High Commission in Nairobi;Catherine Kasoyaga, Shamila Mohamedi,Levina Kahumba,Salma Mwahu and many more from Toronto!Many pictures will be made availabe on "FACEBOOK."If you want to be part of our NGO in Dar es Salaam,or if you know of any child sixteen years old or younger who needs an operation,and can't afford it please let us know!We can help free of charge!Many thanks to you all!Mabula Sabula