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Cars, buses, taxis and bicycles are due to be removed from much of Oxford Street in London on 26 October, as the first phase of a plan to make the famous shopping street largely traffic-free gets under way. The change will affect shoppers, workers and commuters who use the West End every day, and bus services that use the street are likely to change as a result.
Oxford Street is one of the busiest shopping streets in Europe, with hundreds of thousands of people walking along it each day. For years there have been calls to give more of the street to pedestrians, as pavements have become crowded and the mix of buses, taxis and cyclists has made the street feel unsafe for many. The plan to pedestrianise the street has been discussed for decades, and the start of the traffic ban is the first concrete step towards making it happen.
Under the plans, the section of the street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street will be closed to traffic, with cars, buses, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs all banned. The street will remain accessible to emergency vehicles at all times, and deliveries will be allowed during the night. The first phase of the work is expected to be completed by spring 2027, with new trees, seating and public squares planned as part of the longer-term transformation.
The mayor of London has described the pedestrianisation as a momentous occasion for the capital, and has said it marks the end of decline for the street. Supporters say a traffic-free Oxford Street will be safer, cleaner and more pleasant to shop in, and will help the street compete with other shopping destinations. Critics worry about the effect on surrounding streets, where traffic will be diverted, and about access for people who find walking difficult.
For anyone who shops, works or travels through the West End, the advice is to check routes before 26 October and to allow extra time for journeys in the first weeks. Bus stops will move, cycle routes will change, and the streets around Oxford Street are likely to be busier than usual while people adjust. The change is the biggest the street has seen in generations, and its success will be judged by how it feels to walk along it.
Source: BBN Times
