Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has “overwhelming” support

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June 18, 2025
3 min read

Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has “overwhelming” support

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has announced that he will go ahead with plans for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, following “overwhelming public and business support” for the proposal. The street is “an area of critical national economic importance,” contributing £25 billion to London’s economy every year. But the pandemic and the growth of online shopping and retail parks have impacted it in recent years.

In February 2025, the mayor set out proposals to “breathe new life” into Oxford Street, including pedestrianisation of its main shopping thoroughfare. This would hope to “improve visitor experience and better enable new leisure offers, such as al fresco dining and outdoor events.”

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After an “extensive” public consultation which saw 6,642 responses, a report has found that Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly back the plan for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, with almost seventy percent expressing support for the Mayor’s proposed interventions to regenerate it, and two thirds specifically supporting pedestrianising it.

This echoes a recent poll which foundt hat 63% of Londoners supported pedestrianising the street, rising to 72% among those who had visited the area within 12 months. Major businesses in the area and around the capital welcome the plans which hope to boost retail and improve growth for the capital.

Detailed traffic and highway proposals are set to be developed for the section of road between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus up to Great Portland Street, nearly a mile of one of London’s most iconic high streets. These will be consulted on later this year.

The Mayor also plans to go ahead with steps to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), dedicated to regenerating the area and “ultimately making Oxford Street a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events.” Subject to consideration by the London Assembly, the Mayor will work with the government to make the necessary legislation for the MDC to be established by 1 January 2026.

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