Almost a kilometre of Oxford Street becomes traffic-free in central London

Left · 2Almost a kilometre of Oxford Street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, became traffic-free from Monday 26 October 2026. 1 2 Left · 1London Mayor Sadiq Khan wrote that the last car went down the street at around 8pm on Sunday evening. 2 Left · 1Buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, private motorised vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs are no longer permitted to enter. Deliveries may only take place between midnight and 7am, and emergency services keep access at all times. 1

Left · 1Vehicles are redirected onto surrounding roads, and new bus stops have been placed on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place, roughly 200 metres from the traffic-free zone. 1 Left · 1The street generates around £3.1 billion in annual spend and draws about half a million visitors a day, according to the Daily Mirror. 1 Left · 1Khan called it "a truly momentous occasion for the capital" and said there had been talk of pedestrianising the street for decades. Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner described it as an exciting new chapter that would attract visitors and investment. 1

Left · 1In a Guardian opinion piece, Khan argued that the street had lost some of its sparkle, with falling footfall, store closures and a congested, unpleasant visitor experience. Khan said the plans were backed by seven in 10 Londoners after extensive consultation and had faced opposition from "a vocal minority" and a previous government that did not back them. 2 Left · 1Critics say the scheme is rushed and will push traffic onto smaller nearby streets. Westminster City Council deputy leader Tim Barnes has said access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety need answers urgently, and warned of "all of the downsides and too little upside". 1 Left · 1Retailers including John Lewis and Selfridges, plus UK Hospitality and the New West End Company, have backed the plans. London transport commissioner Andy Lord said the changes would be closely monitored. 1

Left · 2Only limited construction will take place in the coming weeks to avoid disrupting Christmas trading. By the end of spring 2027 the plans include more than 50 new trees, two new public squares, over 100 new seats and dining tables, and better lighting and signage. 1 2 Left · 2Many of the initial changes are temporary. Khan said a test and review period throughout 2027 would use real-time feedback to refine the final designs, and the Oxford Street Development Corporation's chief executive Nabeel Khan said the transition phase would be used to test ideas with communities, businesses and accessibility groups. 2 1