London Mayor Confirms Extensive Oxford Street Pedestrianisation Plans

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is advancing plans to pedestrianise nearly a mile of Oxford Street, extending the traffic-free zone further east than initially proposed, from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street. The £150 million project, supported by two-thirds of residents and businesses, aims to rejuvenate the area into a world-class shopping and leisure destination, boosting investment, tourism, and job creation. A Mayoral Development Corporation will be established to oversee planning and funding, taking powers from local councils, with detailed traffic proposals expected later this year and implementation possibly by 2027 or later. Despite strong backing from major retailers like Selfridges, John Lewis, and Ikea, some residents worry about increased traffic on adjacent streets such as Wigmore and Mortimer. The initiative follows previous attempts that were blocked and depends on approval from Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Overall, the plan reflects a significant effort to revitalize one of the world’s busiest shopping streets while balancing community concerns.