The diversion is necessary to allow redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road Tube station ahead of Crossrail.
From 6am this morning traffic is being diverted to the east of Centre Point and onto St Giles High Street with the diversion expecting to last for the next four years.
Transport for London say the diversion will allow three Tube station worksites currently separated by the old road to be merged, allowing excavation work to increase the size of the station’s ticket hall to begin.
Richard Parry, Strategy and Commercial Director, London Underground said: “Construction for the major redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road Tube station is now well underway. The station is heavily congested and needs additional capacity to accommodate the growing numbers of passengers using the station.
“Charing Cross Road needs to be diverted for the next four years so that excavation work to increase the size of the Tube ticket hall can get underway as it can only be extended into the area currently occupied by the existing road. Without the diversion of Charing Cross Road the expansion of the ticket hall at Tottenham Court Road cannot be delivered.
“This innovative traffic solution at Charing Cross Road will keep traffic moving and deliver a much-needed major capacity boost to Tottenham Court Road station. We have done all we can to keep disruption to a minimum and are confident that the diversion will have little or no impact on traffic flows in the area.”
