Oxford Street might be pedestrianised once conceivable, says London mayor

Sadiq Khan has mentioned he’s going to pedestrianise Oxford Street “as quickly as possible”, after two in 3 respondents to a public session sponsored plans to prohibit site visitors from London’s central buying groceries house.

The mayor’s workplace mentioned there used to be “overwhelming public and business support” for the proposals to regenerate the road, whose lustre is slowly returning as division shops muscle again amongst the candy and memento retail outlets of doubtful status.

More than 6,600 companies, folks and teams answered to the formal session on plans introduced ultimate 12 months that integrated complete pedestrianisation of a 0.7-mile strip west from Great Portland Street; bettering the world; and permitting boulevard cafes and out of doors occasions.

Khan mentioned: “Oxford Street has suffered over many years, so urgent action is needed to give our nation’s high street a new lease of life.

“It’s clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I’m pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible.”

The Labour govt has mentioned it’ll approve a mayoral building company (MDC) to push thru plans, after earlier makes an attempt to pedestrianise the road have been knocked again by way of Westminster town council. An MDC may just now be established in early 2026, together with illustration from the council, which even now beneath Labour keep watch over has antagonistic the scheme.

Cllr Adam Hug, the chief of the council, mentioned: “While the mayor’s formal decision today was not the council’s preferred outcome, it is far from unexpected, and it is now important for Oxford Street’s future to move forward together.”

He added that since 2022 the road had “roared back to life after the pandemic” and mentioned the council would paintings with Khan to peer it “reimagined” in some way that labored for guests, customers and citizens.

Oxford Street is already in large part limited to normal site visitors however is a key direction for London buses and taxis. Steve McNamara, the overall secretary of the LTDA, which represents black-cab drivers, idea the plans would aggravate congestion within the capital. “Putting this traffic down surrounding streets will cause chaos – we’re already Europe’s most congested city, maybe we’ll now get the world title,” he mentioned.

Detailed site visitors proposals to reroute buses and ban all site visitors might be launched and consulted on later this 12 months.

Khan added: “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.”

Angela Rayner, he deputy top minister, mentioned: “We want to see Oxford Street become the thriving place to be for tourists and Londoners alike, and that’s why we welcome the mayor of London’s bold proposals to achieve that.”

The giant shops in the street, together with Ikea, which just lately opened its a shop there, additionally sponsored the mayor. The leader government of Ikea Uk and Ireland, Peter Jelkeby, mentioned the pedestrianisation plan used to be a good step that will “create a more welcoming and accessible space – bringing wide-ranging benefits to visitors, shoppers, businesses and the wider community”.

The government director of Selfridges, Meave Wall, mentioned the dept retailer used to be “hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world”.

The New West End Company, which represents 600 companies across the house, mentioned the session effects have been crucial step ahead.