How will pedestrianisation of UK’s most famous shopping street work in practice?
A stretch of London’s Oxford Street is to be vehicle-free as part of £150m government-backed scheme Much of Britain’s most famous shopping street will be closed to traffic from Monday as the long-awaited pedestrianisation of London’s Oxford Street begins. About half of the 1.2 mile street will initially be vehicle-free, after decades of planning and dispute over how to best use the street, an…
London's iconic Oxford Street will become a pedestrian-only zone from October 26, as part of a £150 million government-backed scheme. This long-awaited transformation marks the end of decades of planning and dispute regarding the optimal use of the 1.2-mile thoroughfare, which serves as a prominent transport route and hosts flagship stores for major shopping chains. The ban on all motorized traffic, including buses, black cabs, and bicycles, will now apply 24/7, extending the existing ban on private cars.
Mayor Sadiq Khan, who has championed the switch as part of his clean air initiatives, views the move as a significant political win, supported by central government's intervention to overcome local council objections. The £150 million investment aims to not only improve the pedestrian experience but also serve as a model for other cities worldwide.
Notable retailers, Transport for London, and urban advocates eagerly anticipate the outcome of this £150 million scheme. From 7 am on October 26, a stretch of nearly 0.6 miles (1km) containing renowned department stores like John Lewis and Selfridges will be vehicle-free. The junction with Orchard Street near Marble Arch to Great Portland Street, east of Oxford Circus, Ikea, will be closed to all traffic from 7 am to midnight daily.
Businesses will be permitted deliveries outside pedestrian hours via specific access routes, but vehicles won't traverse the entire street. Private vehicles, such as cars, are already barred between 7 am and 7 pm, and this ban will now be enforced continuously, covering buses, black cabs, and bikes too. Several points, including major junctions with Regent Street and Oxford Circus, and others like New Bond Street, will allow vehicle access.
Public transportation will adapt to the changes, with bus routes 7, 98, and 390 now running along Wigmore Street, parallel to Oxford Street. Taxi ranks will be within 100 meters of the traffic-free area on Oxford Street and surrounding roads. Unlike some other London traffic-free areas, cycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters will not be permitted on the pedestrianised strip.
However, mobility scooters will remain allowed, and disabled access may prove more convenient than in other parts of London, with step-free access at Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road Underground and Elizabeth line stations.
Emergency services will maintain access to the entire area via cross streets. Cargo e-bikes will collect litter and perform street cleaning during pedestrian hours. Khan has hinted at transforming Oxford Street into a public plaza with outdoor dining, enhanced street furniture, and lighting. Early next year, more trees and seating will be installed, while the road surface will be raised to create public squares and event spaces.
This initial phase is considered a success, but plans for the rest of the thoroughfare depend on its effectiveness.
Written by urgent.news from Guardian Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
