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Oxford St pedestrianisation: Sadiq Khan hails 'North Korean' levels of support
Two-thirds of responses to City Hall consultation backed mayorâ??s plans
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The changes will involve more of the road being closed to traffic than first thought - the eastern section between Oxford Circus and Great Portland Street, in front of the new Ikea store, in addition to the western section between Oxford Circus and the western edge of Selfridges.
But the Oxford Circus junction itself will not be pedestrianised, The Standard has learned, as buses will continue to run north-south on Regent Street.
The decision to move to the next stage in changing the layout of the nationâs nest-known high street comes after Sir Sadiq said he had received âoverwhelmingâ backing from residents and businesses who took part in a nine-week consultation, with two-thirds of respondents in favour.
Speaking to The Standard on Tuesday, the mayor said: âThese are North Korean-type results. Itâs quite remarkable. Somebody is going to rename me Kim [Jong Un, the North Korean dictator] soon, but I am really pleased and proud.
âIn terms of our consultation, almost 7,000 responded â and seven out of 10 support our bold plans to regenerate this iconic streetâ¦. Iâm impatient to see progress on this street.â
The £150m plans will now progress to detailed solutions on how best to remove or divert 16 bus routes from Oxford Street.
These more detailed proposals â covering almost a mile of Oxford Street - will be published later this year.
It may take until 2027 or later before the changes are introduced. Sir Sadiq will be keen to ensure they are in place before his third mayoral term ends in May 2028.
City Hall announced that the area to be pedestrianised would extend further east than first expected, to Great Portland Street.
The western boundary will be Orchard Street, between the western end of Selfridges and the Marble Arch branch of Marks & Spencer.
The street will effectively be pedestrianised in blocks, with some traffic allowed to cross north-south.
Asked about Oxford Circus, Sir Sadiq said: âOrchard Street to Great Portland Street may be the first phase.
âI think you have got to phase this street â you canât do it all in one big bang. We will ask the designers and planners to come up with the proposals, and we will consult on those, and make sure the plans we have for phase one are the best possible plans we can have.â
Oxford Street is one of the world's busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day, and is regarded as the ânationâs high streetâ.
City Hall will deliver the changes by establishing a Mayoral Development Corporation by January 1 next year, effectively claiming planning and money-raising powers currently held by Westminster and Camden councils.
Selfridges, John Lewis and Ikea welcomed the plans, which aim to continue the recent revival of Oxford Street and encourage outdoor events and al-fresco dining.
Asked about his plans to ban cyclists from the pedestrianised sections of Oxford Street, Sir Sadiq told The Standard: âI donât apologise for wanting this street to be for pedestrians only.
âThat means that if you are a really fit cyclist like me and you want to cycle down here, youâve got to go round.
âWhat you donât want, and we have all done it in shared spaces, is to be walking and thereâs been a cycle whizzing past, or youâre pushing a buggy or a wheelchair and thereâs a cyclist whizzing past.
âIf youâre a cyclist, you donât really mind doing a right or a left [turn] and going down the parallel streets to get to the other side.â
Private cars are already banned from much of Oxford Street, meaning the bulk of the traffic consists of buses, taxis and delivery vehicles.
A total of 6,642 responses were received to the consultation, which ran between February and May.
Respondents were asked for their views on two issues - the designation of a Mayoral Development Area, which won 69 per cent support, and the principle of pedestrianising Oxford Street, which was backed by 66 per cent.
An artistâs impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street in central London (Mayor of London/PA)
PA Media
Subject to approval by the cross-party London Assembly, Sir Sadiq will âwork with the governmentâ to draft the necessary legislation for the mayoral development corporation to be established by January 1.
Sir Sadiq said: âOxford Street has suffered over many years so urgent action is needed to give our nationâs high street a new lease of life.
âIt'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.
âWe 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.
âOur plans are not only about creating a beautiful public space where people can shop, eat and connect â but transforming Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.â
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visited Oxford Street last September
Aaron Chown/PA
Angela Rayner, the Deputy Prime Minister, said: âWe want to see Oxford Street become the thriving place to be for tourists and Londoners alike, and thatâs why we welcome the Mayor of Londonâs bold proposals to achieve that.
âWe will support the Mayor in delivering this ambitious vision, which will help to breathe new life into Oxford Street â driving investment, creating new jobs for local people, and providing a boost to economic growth in the capital in line with our Plan for Change.â
Sir Sadiqâs decision last September to rekindle previously abandoned plans for Oxford Street came with the Governmentâs backing but were bitterly opposed at the time by Labour-run Westminster council.
The council â which like other London boroughs faces re-election in May 2026 â has since promised to work with the mayor.
If the council is regained by the Conservatives next year under a residents backlash, this could potentially lead to delays and legal challenges.
Cllr Adam Hug, Labour leader of Westminster council, said: âWhile the mayorâs formal decision today was not the City Councilâs preferred outcome, it is far from unexpected, and it is now important for Oxford Streetâs future to move forward together.
âSince the Mayorâs new approach was made public last autumn, Westminster has worked pragmatically and productively with the Greater London Authority to ensure that the plan for Oxford Street more closely meets the needs of businesses, visitors, and residents.
âFor example, our agreements with the GLA, made in February this year, included delivering a transformation east of Oxford Circus very similar in nature to Westminsterâs original plans (retaining bus access), enhancing security along the whole street and reducing freight traffic in the wider area.
âSubject to final decisions on representation, Westminster City Council intends to maintain a strong voice within the Mayoral Development Corporation on behalf of all our stakeholders and particularly the 12,000 people who call the West End home.â
Ikeaâs UK chief executive Peter Jekelby said: âThe plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street is a positive step, which we believe will create a more welcoming and accessible space â bringing wide-ranging benefits to visitors, shoppers, businesses and the wider community.â
Selfridges executive director Meave Wall said: âSelfridges has thrived on Oxford Street for well over 100 years, and we're hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world.
âThe community's support and enthusiasm is really encouraging, and we are excited to play our part in shaping a brighter future for this iconic shopping and entertainment hub.â
John Lewis managing director Peter Ruis said: âWe welcome the mayor's plans for the regeneration and pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, where John Lewis has been a key retailer for over 160 years.
âWe continue to invest significantly in our Oxford Street store - including a new beauty hall, a Waterstones bookshop and the new Jamie Oliver Cookery School - and believe pedestrianisation will create a vibrant, thriving shopping environment.â
Camden council leader Cllr Richard Olszewski, said: âThis is a hugely significant development for central London.
âWe look forward to continuing to work closely with the Mayor and other stakeholders to develop these proposals and work up in more detail the operational aspects of the proposed development corporation. These proposals are also set to benefit neighbouring areas like Fitzrovia and Holborn.â
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