Part of Oxford Street is to go traffic-free on 26 October as Regent Street pedestrianisation plan is delayed into 2027

From the Newshound archive · first published 12 October 2026 · last updated 13 October 2026.

Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate have postponed their scheme to pedestrianise Regent Street St James's and expand Piccadilly Circus, with a new public consultation now not expected before 2027. The delay comes after Conservative councillors took control of Westminster in May and abandoned a timetable that had aimed for an autumn decision and a construction start in early 2029. Oxford Street's transformation is still going ahead this month, with almost a kilometre of road between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street shutting to general traffic on 26 October.

Labour councillor Geoff Barraclough accused the new Conservative administration of turning a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' into 'dithering and delay'.

From 26 October, the closed Oxford Street stretch will be barred to all motor vehicles and cyclists alike — buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, bicycles and pedicabs will all be redirected to alternative routes.