London Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled plans to ban traffic on Oxford Street, one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares. The initiative aims to enhance the experience for shoppers, residents, workers, and tourists alike.
The UK government supports the proposal as part of a broader regeneration effort in the area, with Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner saying it will give the iconic shopping district “the boost it needs.”
Khan emphasized the need for swift action to restore Oxford Street’s status as a premier global retail destination.
Angela Rayner is expected to approve the designation of a mayoral development area, granting Khan additional powers to push forward the plans first introduced in 2017.
However, the announcement was met with opposition from Westminster City Council, which had previously blocked a similar proposal in 2018 due to concerns about rerouting buses and the impact on local businesses. The council, which had its own £90 million regeneration plan for the street, now faces the possibility of its efforts being overtaken by Khan’s initiative.
Oxford Street remains one of the world’s busiest shopping destinations, attracting around half a million visitors daily. Khan acknowledged the street’s decline over the last decade, stating, “Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain’s retail sector, but it’s clear urgent action is needed to breathe new life into the nation’s most famous high street.”
