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Ah, Oxford Street – the place that tourists love to flock to and (many) Londoners love to hate. Though it’s a world-renowned retail destination, there’s no denying that the road is a real nightmare to navigate. The pavements are narrow and packed full of people, while the road is chocka-block with buses and cabs. But, under new plans, it could soon be much, much easier to get from one end of the street to the other without being whacked by shopping bags or stopped in your tracks by a family taking selfies.
Official plans to pedestrianise the 0.7 mile strip from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch were announced in September last year. Now, following a public consultation, the mayor’s office has declared that there is ‘overwhelming public and business support’ among Londoners. It’s been revealed that two thirds of the 6,600 respondents are in favour of the idea.
Empowered by the mass support, Sadiq Khan said: ‘It’s clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I’m pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible.’
Some of the major businesses backing the scheme include IKEA (which launched its Oxford Street store just two months ago) and Selfridges. IKEA CEO Peter Jekelby said that the pedestrianisation would ‘create a more welcoming and accessible space – bringing wide-ranging benefits to visitors, shoppers, businesses and the wider community’. Selfridges boss Maeve Wall added that the store is ‘hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world’.
Khan tried to rid the road of vehicles in 2018 but those plans were brought to a halt by Westminster City Council over concerns that traffic would be forced to go through quieter residential areas. Once again, Westminster Council wasn’t a huge fan of the idea. However, it has now agreed to work with the mayor’s office to make it happen. Adam Hug, the leader of the council, said: ‘While the mayor’s formal decision today was not the council’s preferred outcome, it is far from unexpected, and it is now important for Oxford Street’s future to move forward together.’
Now, Khan needs to get formal permission from deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, since she’s also the secretary of state for housing, communities and local government. If she gives the plans the green light (which looks likely, as she’s already shown support on social media), it’s hoped that work to de-traffic the road could begin early next year.
Khan said: ‘This is a wonderful street. It is iconic, but it is not doing as well as it should do. I think it is in decline, and that is why we have got bold plans to regenerate this street, and I’m so excited that seven out of ten of those who responded to the consultation support our bold plans.’
There will be more detailed proposals around rerouting buses and banning traffic released later this year with a consultation. The pedestrianised zone would also host cultural events and activities throughout the year.
Do you know what else Londoners are in favour of? An extension of the Bakerloo line, that’s what.
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