Oxford Street Goes Traffic-Free as Sadiq Khan Launches Pedestrianisation
The first phase bars cars, buses and taxis from nearly 1 km of the shopping street, with emergency access and overnight deliveries allowed.
- On Monday, October 26, 2026, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Oxford Street Development Corporation officially pedestrianised a one-kilometre stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, barring cars, buses, taxis, and cyclists from the central zone.
- Khan first proposed pedestrianisation in his 2016 mayoral manifesto, but the plan stalled in 2017 after Westminster City Council withdrew support. The project was revived under the Oxford Street Development Corporation to avoid repeating past political failures.
- Emergency services retain access at all times, while deliveries remain permitted between midnight and 7 a.m. Buses are diverted to Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, clearing the central area for pedestrians only.
- Official data from a September 2025 test day showed a 45 per cent visitor increase and a 26 per cent rise in nearby Tube usage, bolstering support from retailers including John Lewis and Selfridges.
- By spring 2027, the area will feature more than 50 new trees and more than 100 new seats. However, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader Tim Barnes warns the scheme may displace traffic into surrounding residential streets.
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45 Articles
Tagesschau
From now on, there will be no more cars, buses and taxis on a part of London's well-known Oxford Street.
Buses, taxis, hired or private vehicles, and even bicycles will no longer be able to enter the section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
From today, Oxford Street – London’s most famous shopping street – has become a pedestrianised street, permanently closing to all vehicles, including tour buses. As part of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan to pedestrianise the famous shopping thoroughfare, a stretch of almost a kilometre (from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street, including Oxford Circus) was handed over to pedestrians early this morning. All motorised vehicles (cars, buses, …
Oxford Street bans vehicle traffic as Sadiq Khan praises 'truly momentous' day for 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 today, 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 …
One of the most famous shopping streets in the world will be car-free: on Oxford Street in London, the city will be completely closed to traffic from now on. Later, the route will be extended and London will be able to breathe new life into the street.
Oxford Street counts around a million visitors every day – but its image has suffered. Now an expensive conversion with a new traffic rule starts.
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