Pedestrianisation begins on famed shopping street
London’s Oxford Street was closed to cars, buses and bicycles on Monday as the first phase of a long-planned programme to revive the capital’s principal retail avenue got under way. The traffic-free section covers almost one kilometre between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, with vehicles diverted onto surrounding roads while authorities refine further works.
The change, overseen by the office of Mayor Sadiq Khan and the Oxford Street Development Corporation, aims to restore the street’s appeal after years in which the precinct’s mix of souvenir shops and lower-value retail was widely seen as eroding its standing. Officials noted the route still attracts about half a million visitors a day, drawing shoppers to outlets such as Selfridges, Zara and John Lewis.
What was seen on the first day
Scenes on the street combined enthusiasm from shoppers with practical teething problems. Many visitors welcomed the new space, anticipating a more relaxed shopping experience over the Christmas period. Others raised concerns about access for disabled visitors and how the ban on cycling and e-scooters would be enforced.
- Traffic restrictions: cars, buses and bicycles banned on the closed section.
- Infrastructure changes planned: trees, seating and two new public squares are proposed.
- Transport links: officials cited the Elizabeth line as a boost, noting it serves an Oxford Street stop.
Barriers and signage were installed and security staff asked some cyclists to dismount and walk. Despite the ban, a number of people continued to ride through the pedestrianised area, prompting staff and police to intervene in places. Transport for London (TfL) said it was working with hire companies and delivery firms to ensure rules are followed, and that geo-fencing measures would be used to cut power or require riders to walk dockless e-bikes entering the zone.
“This is a momentous day for London, a momentous day for Oxford Street,”
Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC the move marked a “new era” for the street. He said the immediate changes were just the first stage and that further work would begin in the new year, with plans to be refined following feedback from visitors.
Local and practical consequences
Diverting more than a kilometre of traffic onto surrounding roads has been controversial in discussions stretching back more than a decade. Local residents had previously expressed concern that the removal of vehicles from the thoroughfare would increase congestion in adjacent neighbourhoods. Officials say the Oxford Street Development Corporation helped secure support after public consultation suggested pedestrianisation would attract new shops and visitors and return Oxford Street to the ranks of leading global retail streets.
For people travelling from outside London, the moves may alter arrival patterns: planners emphasised the Elizabeth line’s central role in bringing shoppers into the area. For those who use bicycles or e-scooters for short journeys, the new restrictions will require adjustments. TfL indicated it would monitor compliance and work with hire operators to impose technological limits within the pedestrianised zone.
Voices on the ground
Many shoppers and workers welcomed the change. One woman who works nearby described the atmosphere as “very joyful”, saying she expected the street to be especially attractive in summer and at Christmas. Others, however, highlighted uncertainty about accessibility and enforcement, and whether reduced vehicle access would simply shift congestion to neighbouring streets.
| Detail | Reported figure |
|---|---|
| Pedestrianised length | Nearly 1 km (Orchard St to Great Portland St) |
| Daily visitors | About 500,000 |
| Immediate measures | Barriers, signage, security staff; geo-fencing for dockless e-bikes planned |
The project’s supporters hope the pedestrianisation, together with planting, seating and new public squares, will encourage higher-value retail and give London a refreshed, people-focused destination on a par with internationally recognised shopping boulevards. Critics will be watching the effect on neighbouring streets and on those who rely on pedal power for short trips. With further works scheduled next year, the coming months will be crucial in testing whether the promised regeneration materialises and how well the operational issues are resolved.
