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Cabbies and traders brand Sadiq Khan's Oxford Street car ban an 'own goal' as October 26 start date is confirmed

From the Newshound archive · first published 28 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Oxford Street will be closed to all cars, buses, taxis and cyclists from October 26, covering one kilometre between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
Oxford Street will be closed to all cars, buses, taxis and cyclists from October 26, covering one kilometre between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
Sadiq Khan at the Notting Hill Carnival. All ten bus routes along Oxford Street will be fully rerouted when his car-free zone takes effect on October 26.
Sadiq Khan at the Notting Hill Carnival. All ten bus routes along Oxford Street will be fully rerouted when his car-free zone takes effect on October 26.

Sadiq Khan has confirmed Oxford Street will go traffic-free from October 26, banning cars, taxis, buses and bikes from nearly a kilometre between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street — but traders, cabbies and commuters have rounded on the scheme even before it begins. The mayor, speaking from the Labour Party conference in Liverpool, branded it the "real transformation of the nation's high street" and said the changes arrive "just in time" for the Christmas shopping season. Westminster City Council's deputy leader Tim Barnes accused Khan of "rushing preparations" and says a "long list of unanswered questions" remains over traffic displacement, air quality and public safety.

Cab driver Geoff, 57, with over 20 years on West End roads, warned nearby streets will be 'choked' and called the ban a disaster for disabled tourists weighed down with shopping bags.

Westminster Council previously launched a judicial review of the plans but dropped the challenge in June after legal advice suggested it would fail.

The makeover includes more than 100 seats and dining tables alongside 50 trees; two new public squares are promised by spring 2027, although the opening phase will be temporary while data is gathered.

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