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A traffic-free Oxford Street is getting closer and closer to becoming a reality. Sadiq Khan has been trying to pedestrianise the world-famous street since 2017 – a move that he says will give it a ‘new lease of life and make it an attractive international destination once again’.
An initial consultation found that one in 10 Londoners were in favour of making Oxford Street traffic-free. And a one-day event back in September gave locals and tourist a taste of what the stretch would be like without any vehicles. Now, TfL has launched another consultation to get feedback on newly released plans that show how traffic routes would change.
Full pedestrianisation would see buses, taxis and private hire vehicles banned from the street. Cycling wouldn’t be allowed under the proposed plans either, but TfL says that it would create new ‘high-quality’ cycle routes through the surrounding area. Cars are already banned from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday.
Some locals worry that diverting traffic away from Oxford Street will make the surrounding streets noisier and more chaotic. You can take a look at the plans below and then share your two pence in the consultation (which closes January 16) here.
Sadiq Khan said: ‘These new proposals map out the potential next steps with Transport for London to make our vision of a thriving, greener Oxford Street a reality. I encourage everyone to have their say on the proposals, which would transform Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole country can be proud of, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.’
When will Oxford Street be pedestrianised?
If the plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street go ahead, TfL hopes that delivery of the scheme could start in the second half of 2026.
It says that the transformation would first focus on diverting bus routes, then on making it a more attractive location for pedestrians.
Map of pedestrianised Oxford Street
Here are TfL’s maps of the proposed new bus and traffic routes, if Oxford Street becomes pedestrianised.
Which bus routes will be affected?
All buses that currently serve Oxford Street would be rerouted along Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. TfL says that the difference in journey times would be ‘less than a minute’. The routes that would be adjusted are the: 7, 94, 98, 139, 390, N7, 94, N98, N113, N137, 139, N207 and 390.
Buses that only use sections of the street will also have to change their routes slightly. They are the 22 and N22 from Putney Common, the 73 and N73 from Stoke Newington and the N15 from Romford Market.
Did you see that Regent Street will go car-free for the first time in five years?
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