Westminster City Council in London has revealed details of a £6m scheme to revitalise Theatreland, the capital’s main theatre district.

Intended to rid the area of ‘nasty’ and ‘drug-ridden’ connotations, the transformation will include the installation of wider, continental-style boulevards, traffic restrictions and better security.

Funding for the first stage of the project – around £1.8m – has been raised between a number of organisations including Transport for London, Westminster council, the Cross-River Partnership and the theatres within the district.

Support for the scheme comes from the artistic director of the Old Vic, actor Kevin Spacey, alongside Tessa Jowell and theatre owner Sir Cameron Macintosh with initial work scheduled to begin in Coventry Street within weeks.

Other areas for improvement will include Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, Drury Lane and St Martins Lane.

The council also intends to give tourist coaches a number of drop-off points, away from key roads. Details: www.westminster.gov.uk