Fresh plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street have been met with fierce opposition from residents who describe the proposed traffic diversions as 'dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic' for surrounding neighbourhoods.
Controversial Proposals Unveiled
City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) launched a six-week consultation on November 21, outlining detailed transport changes for the famous shopping street. The consultation will remain open until January 16, giving Londoners their chance to voice opinions.
The core proposal involves closing Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street to all private vehicles, buses, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs. Emergency services would retain full access at all times under the new scheme.
Key Measures and Resident Concerns
The proposed measures include allowing service and delivery vehicles access between midnight and 7am, installing wider pedestrian crossings, and rerouting buses along Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. City Hall claims increased journey times would be 'less than a minute'.
However, the Marylebone Association has issued stark warnings, stating the scheme 'solves nothing and creates new risks on an unprecedented scale'. They argue closing the half-mile east-west artery will force traffic into residential areas like Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Soho.
The association highlighted particular concerns for vulnerable groups, noting that elderly, disabled, low-income workers and carers would face walks of 200-400 metres to diverted bus stops and additional interchanges.
Political Backing and Public Response
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan insists 'urgent action' is needed to revitalise the nation's most famous high street. He stated: 'A reimagined Oxford Street can bring the world to London and showcase the best of London to the world.'
The plans depend on establishing a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to gain control of the area, a move that has drawn criticism for removing Westminster Council's democratic oversight. Previous consultation ending in June showed 66% of Londoners supported pedestrianisation proposals, with 69% backing the MDC creation.
Claire Mann, Chief Operating Officer at TfL, said subject to consultation results, delivery could begin in the second half of 2026.
