Parts of Oxford Street in London, the United Kingdom, will become pedestrian-only from October 26, with buses, taxis, bicycles and other vehicles barred from a nearly one-kilometre stretch, Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced.
The affected section will run from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street as part of plans to transform the famous shopping street into a pedestrian plaza.
Khan said the move followed strong backing from residents and businesses, describing the project as a major step towards his vision for Oxford Street.
“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.”
However, Westminster City Council has raised concerns about how the traffic restrictions will affect surrounding streets, businesses and residents.
The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for growth and planning, Councillor Tim Barnes, said there were still several issues that needed to be addressed before the project begins.
“While we finally now have a timetable for the proposed pedestrianisation, Westminster City Council, residents and businesses on Oxford Street still have a long list of unanswered questions about how it will work.
“If this is going to be the ‘greener, better and more prosperous’ success that the Mayor has promised, then issues around access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety, need answers urgently.
“Right now there’s a danger that we will have all of the downsides and too little upside. Traffic will be pushed to the small streets nearby causing economic and environmental harm.
“We are writing to the Oxford Street Development Corporation with our serious concerns now it is obvious the Mayor is rushing preparations with little time left.”
Khan said the changes would mark the beginning of a wider transformation of Oxford Street into a space combining retail, leisure, workplaces and cultural activities.
“I’m delighted that on 26 October the transformation of the nation’s high street into a pedestrian plaza will begin in earnest – a world-class space where flagship retail will sit alongside next-generation workplaces, designed to host exciting retail and leisure experiences from sport to fashion and cultural events in the future.”
Transport for London will work with the Oxford Street Development Corporation to introduce new safety measures, while temporary features such as seating will be used to gather data and feedback before permanent designs are developed.
The pedestrianisation plan has been the subject of prolonged disagreement between Khan and Westminster Council.
The council has previously accused the mayor of “cheating the system” by avoiding the need for a full environmental impact assessment, while Khan and the government maintain that such an assessment is not required.
BBC London’s political editor Karl Mercer said the project could become part of Khan’s legacy after years of proposals and disagreements over the future of the street.
