Oxford Street Goes Car-Free

This isn't the first attempt to pedestrianize Oxford Street; proposals date back decades, with one of the more recent significant efforts by Mayor Sadiq Khan in 2018 being blocked by the then-Conservative-run Westminster City Council. This time, the Mayor has established a Mayoral Development Corporation to oversee the project, taking direct control of the road from the council to push the plans forward. The current plan will be implemented in phases, starting with a ban on all traffic, including buses, taxis, and cyclists, on the 0.7-mile (1.1-km) stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. Works are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2026, with a permanent design for the revamped street, potentially including al fresco dining, to be finalized by November 2027. The transformation is estimated to cost around £150 million, which Mayor Sadiq Khan has stated will be sourced from private funding and business investments, not from London's taxpayers. This funding will cover new road layouts and infrastructure to support the car-free zone. Transport for London has detailed plans to reroute the 15 bus routes that currently use this section of Oxford Street, diverting them to nearby roads like Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. Before the change, buses on Oxford Street carried approximately 43,000 through-passengers and saw 175,000 people getting on or off each day. Passengers will now face a walk of 100-200 meters to reach the famous shopping street from the new bus stops. A one-day traffic-free trial on Oxford Street demonstrated a significant boost to the area, with footfall increasing by 45% compared to the previous week. A survey of businesses during the trial found that 67% reported sales that were similar to or higher than a typical Sunday. Economists at the Greater London Authority project that the pedestrianization could increase the area's Gross Value Added by nearly £82 million annually and support an additional 781 jobs. The move is also expected to improve air quality, as Oxford Street has been one of the UK's most polluted roads. Projections show a reduction in CO₂ emissions and improved nitrogen dioxide levels at several locations. While a 2025 public consultation showed that around two-thirds of respondents supported the principle of pedestrianizing Oxford Street, concerns remain. Some local residents and groups have raised objections about potential traffic displacement to surrounding streets and the impact on accessibility for disabled and elderly individuals who rely on buses and taxis. The long-term vision could see the entire 1.2-mile length of Oxford Street, from Tottenham Court Road to Marble Arch, pedestrianized. The current phase, however, focuses on the western stretch, with traffic still able to cross Oxford Street at key north-south junctions.