London’s Oxford Street Officially Closed To Traffic in Pedestrianisation Scheme
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Post By
Emmie
- October 26, 2026
A nearly one-kilometre (0.6-mile) section of Oxford Street in central London has been officially closed to traffic, marking the launch of a long-debated £150 million pedestrianisation and urban regeneration initiative.
The vehicle-free zone spans the busiest retail stretch of the thoroughfare, running between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Under the new restrictions, all private cars, buses, black cabs, private hire vehicles, pedicabs, and e-scooters are prohibited from entering the area 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Bicycles and e-bikes are also barred from the pedestrianised strip, though mobility scooters and emergency vehicles will still have access, and delivery trucks may enter the area between midnight and 7:00 a.m.
Celebrating the implementation of the project's first phase, Mayor of London Lord Sadiq Khan said:
“I’m hugely excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street coming to life from today. It is a truly momentous occasion for the capital. For centuries, Oxford Street has reinvented itself, adapting to changing times and helping shape British culture along the way."
“There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades. After so many false dawns, and now working with a Government who share the scale of my ambition, I’m proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street.”
He went on to say:
“Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital, unlock the full potential of this key part of the West End and help build a better, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”
Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary Angela Rayner echoed support for the capital's project, stating:
“This marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street, creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of our capital.”
To accommodate the pedestrian zone on a street that sees roughly 500,000 daily visitors and generates £3.1 billion annually, Transport for London rerouted major bus services including the 7, 98, and 390 lines to run along nearby parallel routes like Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place, and Cavendish Place. Taxi drop-off ranks have been established within 100 metres of the car-free zone, while motor vehicles can still cross Oxford Street at designated major intersections such as Regent Street and New Bond Street.
However, the rapid implementation has drawn pushback from local governance figures. Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, cautioned that the preparations were being rushed:
"If this is going to be the ‘greener, better and more prosperous’ success that the mayor has promised, then issues around access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety need answers urgently."
"Right now there's a danger that we will have all of the downsides and too little upside. Traffic will be pushed to the small streets nearby causing economic and environmental harm.”
Addressing potential traffic disruptions, London Transport Commissioner Andy Lord noted that authorities “will be closely monitoring these changes to make sure they are working for everyone and supporting the continued economic growth London needs”.
The transformation forms part of a multi-stage plan to position Oxford Street alongside global retail hubs such as Times Square in New York, the Champs-Élysées in Paris, and La Rambla in Barcelona.
To avoid interrupting trade during the upcoming Christmas shopping period, minimal heavy construction will occur in the immediate weeks. However, by late spring 2027, the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) plans to add over 50 trees, construct two new public squares by leveling road surfaces with existing pavements, and install more than 100 new seats, outdoor dining tables, and improved lighting.
Nabeel Khan, chief executive of the OSDC, said:
“The transition phase is a vital opportunity for us at OSDC to test ideas, learn from people’s experiences and work closely with local communities, businesses and accessibility groups to ensure the future street is as welcoming and inclusive as possible.”
Major retailers and property groups operating along the corridor, including Selfridges, John Lewis, Under Armour, and Grosvenor Property, have publicly endorsed the pedestrianisation effort.
