Sadiq Khan hails a 'truly momentous occasion' as almost a kilometre of Oxford Street goes traffic-free from today
Almost a kilometre of Oxford Street will close to all traffic from Monday, with deliveries confined to a midnight-to-7am window and the carriageway eventually raised to pavement level.The proposed Oxford Street pedestrian zone covers almost a kilometre from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street, with Lord Sadiq Khan vowing to replace 'dross' candy shops with good-quality retailers.
London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan has banned vehicles from almost a kilometre of Oxford Street, between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street. He described the move as 'a truly momentous occasion for the capital'. The ban covers private hire cars, scooters and pedicabs, and restricts deliveries to the midnight-to-7am window. Khan has said the scheme will drive out the 'dross' American-style candy shops.
Oxford Street generates around £3.1bn in retail spending annually and draws 500,000 visitors on any given day.
The road has long been blighted by phone snatching, vaping outlets and cut-price tourist shops.
Additional seating, trees and public spaces are due early next year, with improvement works continuing through spring 2027.
