Oxford Street pedestrianisation, USA News (London): Sadiq Khan has hailed the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as the world-famous shopping district closes to vehicle traffic for the first time. From Monday, October 26, Oxford Street will be traffic-free as part of the London Mayor’s bold ambitions for the iconic road. Removing traffic will be the first step in the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, with major improvements promised over the coming 12 months.
The section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street is now closed to private vehicles, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters, and pedicabs. The vehicle ban, which comes shortly before the busiest retail period of the year, has been hailed as a truly momentous occasion for the capital by London Mayor Sadiq Khan. Buses, taxis, bikes, and other motor vehicles are being diverted onto nearby roads, with Transport for London overseeing changing traffic patterns.
Minimal construction will take place between now and the busy Christmas period under the first stage of the phased delivery programme. By the end of spring next year, ongoing transformation will see the installation of 50 new trees, more than 100 seats, two public squares, rest areas, and improved signage.
Sir Sadiq Khan said he was hugely excited to see his plans come to fruition, encouraging Londoners to visit Oxford Street and experience the benefits of a traffic-free shopping area. He added that for centuries Oxford Street has reinvented itself, adapting to changing times and helping shape British culture along the way. He noted that after decades of talk and false dawns, working with a Government sharing his scale of ambition has unlocked a new era for the street.
London trialled a car-free day last year, which saw strong foot-traffic levels and an increased presence from brands hosting pop-ups and other events. Multiple consultations helped influence the decision to move forward with pedestrianisation efforts, with around seven in 10 respondents in favour of the Mayor’s plans. Oxford Street has an estimated annual contribution of £25 billion to the capital’s economy, alongside an annual spend of around £3.1 billion. Polling from 2025 found that almost two-thirds of Londoners were in favour of pedestrianising Oxford Street, in addition to 72 per cent of visitors.
Catherine Woodhead, CEO of Living Streets, stated that for too long vehicles have been prioritised over people, making the street unsafe and polluted. New West End Company CEO Dee Corsi described it as one of the most significant days in the history of Oxford Street, while Grosvenor Property CEO Jamie Witty-Lewis said removing traffic would attract more people to the area and its surroundings.
