Oxford Street pedestrianisation to go ahead

Cars and buses will be banned from the roughly 1 km strip between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street in a bid to boost retail performance in London’s historic prime shopping area.

No firm timeline was announced for when the change will happen, but detailed proposals are due to be set out later in the year. The mayor, Sadiq Khan, said that “we will now be moving ahead as quick as possible”.

“We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue. This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come,” he added.

As well as the pedestrianisation, Khan is due to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), a statutory body, which will be focused on driving the regeneration of the area. This is due to be in place by the start of 2026, subject to the approval of the London Assembly.

A YouGov survey from September last year, showed that nearly two thirds of Londoners (63%) supported blocking traffic from the street. A public consultation that gathered 6,642 responses from Londoners and businesses similarly showed that two-thirds backed the pedestrianisation plans.

Previous plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street were blocked by Westminster Council in 2018. However, the Labour government has announced its support for the MDC, which will allow Khan to push through the plans.

“We will support the mayor in delivering this ambitious vision, which will help to breathe new life into Oxford Street,” said deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

The plans will affect major stores including Selfridges, John Lewis and the newly opened Ikea. Leaders at all three of these retailers welcomed the proposals. John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis said that “we welcome the mayor’s plans for the regeneration and pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, where John Lewis has been a key retailer for over 160 years.”

“The plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street is a positive step, which we believe will create a more welcoming and accessible space – bringing wide-ranging benefits to visitors, shoppers, businesses and the wider community,” said Ikea UK’s chief executive Peter Jekelby.

“Selfridges has thrived on Oxford Street for well over 100 years, and we’re hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world,” added Meave Wall, executive director at Selfridges.