Oxford Street, one of the world’s busiest shopping areas with around half a million daily visitors, will see a significant transformation this Sunday as part of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s pedestrianisation initiative. For one day, vehicles will be banned from a half-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street from noon until 8pm. The event, titled This Is Oxford Street, will utilise the road space to host activities including live music performances, art installations, food and drink stalls, and a literary festival, offering Londoners and visitors a preview of the proposed future of the iconic shopping street.

Sir Sadiq Khan has made it clear that pedestrianising Oxford Street is a priority to unlock the area’s full potential as a world-class, accessible, clean, and green high street. The plan envisages closing a 0.7-mile stretch of the street between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with possible further pedestrian-friendly changes extending towards Tottenham Court Road. Detailed proposals on how traffic will be managed, including the rerouting of buses, are expected to be consulted on later this year.

This latest push for pedestrianisation follows a previous attempt which was blocked in 2018 by the then Conservative-run Westminster City Council. The success of the new plan depends on government approval to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation granting the Mayor enhanced planning powers, with aspirations for this entity to be operational by early next year. The mayor’s vision takes inspiration from successful pedestrianisation and urban renewal projects such as New York’s Times Square and Barcelona’s La Rambla.

The pedestrianisation initiative is part of a broader strategy to regenerate Oxford Street, which has faced significant challenges in recent years. The street has suffered retail decline, with many flagship shops closing, a trend accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise of online shopping. The reduced footfall and shifting consumer behaviour have made sustaining the traditional retail environment difficult. However, the plan has garnered notable support from both the public and businesses, with a recent consultation showing nearly 70% backing the regeneration proposals and two-thirds specifically supporting pedestrianisation.

Further backing has come from political figures such as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who emphasised the scheme’s potential to stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, and bolster London’s night-time economy. Major retailers including Selfridges, John Lewis, and Ikea have also publicly welcomed the proposals. Nonetheless, some local authorities and stakeholders have expressed concerns, particularly around the complexities of traffic rerouting and access for buses and deliveries in the area.

Crucially, the forthcoming detailed consultation will address these logistics to ensure that pedestrianisation balances the needs of shoppers, businesses, and transport networks. Meanwhile, the upcoming one-day traffic ban event aims to provide a tangible demonstration of the benefits of a more pedestrian-friendly Oxford Street, allowing Londoners a glimpse of a cleaner, greener, and more vibrant urban space that prioritises people over cars.

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Source: Noah Wire Services