Oxford Street one-day traffic ban is start of ‘fight to rescue street’, mayor says

Sunday 21 September 2025 3:07 pm

The mayor of London has stated a one-day trial banning visitors from a part of Oxford Avenue marks “the day the struggle again started to rescue this avenue”.

Sir Sadiq Khan visited the road, the place autos have been prohibited from accessing a half-mile stretch of the street from Oxford Circus to Orchard Avenue between midday and 8pm on Sunday for the occasion referred to as This Is Oxford Avenue.

Talking to the PA information company, Sir Sadiq stated Oxford Avenue was “fantastic” up to now.

“However the actuality is, it has been in decline for a while“, Khan stated.

“I’d name it managed decline. You’ve seen a scenario the place an increasing number of individuals are buying on-line or going to out-of-town centres, buying centres, high-profile retailers have left Oxford Avenue, and the pandemic was an actual physique blow to this avenue.

“Right now is a glimpse to what the long run could possibly be like, the place this can be a place the place individuals can stroll. It will increase footfall. It will increase spend, (will probably be a) excellent place to buy, to do leisure, but in addition have outside occasions.

“(Right now) will go down in historical past, for my part, because the day the struggle again started to rescue this avenue”.

Khan needs to ban autos from a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for additional modifications in direction of Tottenham Courtroom Highway.

Detailed proposals for visitors below the pedestrianisation plan can be consulted on later this 12 months.

The mayor stated he “totally understands” the “minority of residents” who raised considerations over congestion and accessibility, and stated the authority had consulted residents.

“We’re going to hold on not simply working with residents and the council, however working with retailers, landowners and others to ensure we are able to return this avenue to its earlier glory”, Khan stated.

Requested if he had plans to pedestrianise extra thoroughfares within the capital, Khan stated: “We’ve already labored with councils to pedestrianise elements of London, exterior Somerset Home. We’ve, this summer time, invested in al fresco eating through the summer time months.

“So we’re working with the federal government so we are able to have extra powers over licensing and so forth.

“I believe hospitality, retail are actually essential sectors of our economic system, but in addition, (they’re) one of many causes individuals love to return to London”.

Oxford Avenue is among the world’s busiest buying areas, with round half one million guests every day.

A earlier try by Khan to pedestrianise a part of Oxford Avenue was blocked by then-Conservative-run Westminster Metropolis Council in 2018.

His newest proposals rely upon acquiring permission from the federal government to determine a brand new Mayoral Growth Company, which would supply planning powers.

The intention is for this to be created by the beginning of subsequent 12 months.

By Ellie Crabbe and Neil Lancefield, PA