Cars will be barred from a section of Oxford Street “just in time for Christmas”, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced, despite what Westminster Council calls a “long list of unanswered questions”.
The major West End thoroughfare is due to become pedestrianised on October 26, preventing vehicles from using almost one kilometre of the street.
Mr Khan said there was “strong support from Londoners and businesses” for the plans and described the project as a bold vision for one of the capital’s best-known shopping destinations.
“Following strong support from Londoners and businesses, I’m excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street really coming to life next month as we start going traffic-free, just in time for the busy Christmas shopping period,” the mayor said.
He encouraged Londoners and visitors to explore the newly traffic-free area, saying the aim was to create a vibrant destination that would welcome people from across the capital and beyond.
Mr Khan added that revitalising Oxford Street would help “super-charge” regeneration, creating jobs and supporting economic growth in London and beyond.
The decision has nevertheless drawn criticism from Westminster Council, which says key details about how the scheme will operate remain unresolved.
Councillor Tim Barnes, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, said that although a timetable had finally been announced, the authority, local residents and Oxford Street businesses still had “a long list of unanswered questions”.
An artist’s impression shows how Oxford Street could look after the pedestrianisation scheme is introduced
The plans have proceeded despite residents’ fears that the new car-free zone could become a target for gangs and shoplifters
Councillor Barnes said urgent answers were needed on access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety if the project was to deliver the “greener, better and more prosperous” Oxford Street promised by the mayor.
He warned that nearby smaller streets could be overwhelmed by displaced traffic, causing economic and environmental damage while delivering too few benefits in return.
The council is writing to the Oxford Street Development Corporation to set out its concerns, arguing that preparations are being rushed with little time remaining before the October launch.
Oxford Street is among the world’s busiest shopping areas, attracting around half a million visitors every day.
The traffic restriction will cover the stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, where buses, taxis, bicycles and other vehicles will be prohibited.
The Marylebone Association, which represents local residents and businesses, has previously warned that the change could lead to increased crime on the street.
It described the proposal as “dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic for the surrounding neighbourhoods”, claiming the pedestrianised area could become a “magnet” for criminals.
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The Marylebone Association said the scheme would solve nothing while creating new risks on an unprecedented scale.
Oxford Street, the West End’s major shopping road, will become pedestrianised from October 26, with vehicles excluded from almost one kilometre
The group argued that removing traffic would also remove natural surveillance, leaving the open stretch more exposed to gangs, rough sleeping, illegal trading and street crime.
‘Businesses already report soaring shoplifting, assaults and anti–social behaviour. Even the Mayor’s own strategy relies on a major expansion of the late night economy, increasing alcohol licences and extensions.’
It also accused the Mayor of an ‘ideological experiment’ and that police patrols would need to be stepped up to prevent anti-social behaviour, alongside the erection of barriers to prevent ‘hostile vehicles’.
A previous attempt by Lord Khan to pedestrianise part of Oxford Street was blocked by then-Conservative-run Westminster City Council in 2018.
To succeed with his latest plan, he obtained permission from the Government to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation – which provides planning powers – while Transport for London (TfL) took over control of the road from the council.
TfL will work with the Oxford Street Development Corporation to clean and declutter the street and install new safety measures, with works beginning this week.
The pedestrianisation of this initial stretch forms the ‘first phase’ of changes to Oxford Street, according to the mayor’s office.
The changes will be temporary so that ‘real–time data’ can be collected on how people use the space which will help inform the design of permanent improvements as part of plans to pedestrianise the rest of Oxford Street.
Two new public squares, more than 100 new seats, dining tables and over 50 new trees are expected to be in place by the end of spring next year.
Cllr Adam Hug, leader of Westminster City Council, previously said: ‘Westminster Council’s view on Oxford Street pedestrianisation is a matter of longstanding public record.
‘Our role now is to ensure that the Mayor’s Oxford Street Transformation is made to work for local communities, as well as for London.
‘Over the last eighteen months we have secured a number of key improvements from the Mayor of London’s original plans to ensure that the proposals for Oxford Street are more deliverable and better meet the needs of local residents, businesses, and wider London.
‘These include ensuring that Oxford Street East transformation will be delivered in line with Westminster’s previous plans that retain bus access, and the Council’s retention of strategic development funding.
‘We will continue work pragmatically with the Mayor’s team to ensure a bright future for the nation’s high street as well as for our residential communities and businesses.’
