Dear reader,
Thank you for your visit. We hope that browsing and reading this website will encourage you to sign this petition to make King and Queen Street pedestrian in Nottingham city centre, if you are not already convinced.
We call on Nottingham City Council to pedestrianise King Street and Queen Street in the city centre.
These iconic streets, rich with history and beautiful architecture, are currently overwhelmed by traffic, making them inaccessible, unwelcoming, and overlooked by locals and tourists alike.
🚦THE PROBLEM
Right now, King Street and Queen Street are congested daily by buses, loading trucks, delivery drivers, and cars vying for limited space. The result?
- 📉 Local businesses suffer: Despite the businesses best efforts (outdoor terraces, signage, lighting, marketing) many residents still don’t know about them, even the long-established ones. People rarely come to this area to find a place to eat or drink, even though it’s right in the city centre, near the Theatre, the Market Square, and Victoria Centre.
- 💥 The streets are chaotic and hostile: Bus drivers, delivery drivers, and wardens are constantly arguing over access, struggling to navigate streets that weren’t built for this level of traffic. Constant honking, engine noise, and parking disputes create an hostile environment that pushes people away.
- 🚫 No space to thrive: Restaurants can’t expand terraces, pedestrians can’t stroll comfortably, and the stunning architecture of the area is practically invisible behind vehicles.
- 🏭 An environmental disaster : With vehicles idling throughout the day, the air quality suffers, not just for the businesses and their customers, but also for nearby residents and visitors. The noise is equally unrelenting, making the area feel tense and unpleasant. At a time when cities across the world are rethinking car-dominated streets, continuing to prioritise traffic over people runs counter to our environmental goals and public health.
🌻 THE OPPORTUNITY
Pedestrianising these streets would completely transform this part of the city.
Imagine :
- 🍽️ Vibrant terraces for all restaurants and bars, inviting people to drink and dine outdoors in a pleasant environment while offering visibility and more seating to businesses
- 🌳 Trees and flowers lining the walkways, replacing exhaust fumes with the scent of greenery and fresh air. Planters bursting with colour, shaded seating areas beneath leafy canopies, and pollinator-friendly gardens could turn these grey, traffic-choked roads into vibrant, living streets. Not only would this soften the harsh urban environment, it would also help cool the area during heatwaves, improve air quality, and support urban biodiversity. The sound of engines would give way to birdsong, conversation, and the gentle hum of a street alive with people. It would be a greener, healthier, and more welcoming city centre, a place where people want to spend time, not just pass through.
- 🎨 Inviting spaces with plenty of seating where people can relax, meet friends, or simply watch the world go by. Art installations celebrating the streets’ rich heritage would add character and spark curiosity, while informative signs would share fascinating stories about the history and architecture that make this place unique. This wouldn’t just be a street it would be a vibrant community hub, a welcoming place where culture, conversation, and connection come alive, making every visit enjoyable and memorable.
- 🎶 A space for the community to thrive with live music, street art, artisan markets, and local events that celebrate Nottingham’s creative, cultural, and social spirit. It would give local businesses a chance to come together and help shape a vibrant new hub in the city centre, one that attracts both residents and visitors alike.
🤝 WHAT WE ASK
We call on Nottingham City Council to permanently pedestrianise King Street and Queen Street, and to work closely with local businesses and residents to reimagine these streets as vibrant, green, people-first spaces where the city’s environment, community, economy and culture can truly flourish.
💚 We need a reset. Let’s reclaim these streets for the people who live, work, and visit here. Let’s build a city centre we’re proud to show off, not just pass through. By reimagining these streets as vibrant, pedestrian-friendly spaces where people can walk, sit, eat, and explore, we can breathe new life into the heart of the city. With less traffic and more room for people, local businesses would finally have the visibility and footfall they deserve. The potential is here but it starts with making space for people, not just vehicles.
Your voice can help shape the future of our community ! Sign today to show your support and make this happen.
Make King & Queen's street pedestrian 