Final Approval Given for Oxford Street Pedestrianisation

Sir Sadiq Khan has given formal approval for the pedestrianisation of a major stretch of Oxford Street, with vehicles set to be removed by September.

The Mayor of London has instructed Transport for London (TfL) to implement plans to close Oxford Street to traffic between Great Portland Street and Orchard Street. City Hall said the decision followed a second consultation on traffic diversions, which received around 2,700 responses, with a majority backing the proposals.

Under the plans, the affected section will be closed to private vehicles, buses, taxis, private-hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs. Service and delivery vehicles will be permitted access between midnight and 7am.

Buses currently using Oxford Street will be rerouted via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, with TfL estimating journey times will increase by less than a minute. New bus stops, shelters, taxi ranks and drop-off points will be installed near the pedestrianised area. The scheme also includes new and widened pedestrian crossings, additional blue badge parking bays and the creation of alternative cycle routes, as cycling will not be permitted on the traffic-free stretch.

General traffic is already banned on the route between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday.

City Hall says pedestrianisation will improve safety, air quality and the overall visitor experience, positioning Oxford Street as a “world-leading urban space” capable of competing with shopping destinations in Paris and New York. The area is estimated to contribute £25bn annually to London’s economy.

An earlier consultation found 63% of Londoners supported the regeneration plans. However, some residents have expressed concerns about traffic displacement, bus rerouting and disability access.

TfL confirmed the scheme will proceed as originally proposed and said it would monitor the impact of the changes once implemented.

Westminster City Council, which previously opposed pedestrianisation, said it had secured amendments to improve deliverability and protect local interests, including retaining bus access in the Oxford Street East transformation area.

Further details on the rollout are expected in the coming days.