The Mayor of London has launched a surprise early public consultation on his plans to create a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to regenerate and pedestrianise Oxford Street.
The consultation, which opened on Friday 28 February, will run until Friday 2 May 2025.
City Hall said the plans were a chance to breathe new life into the UK’s most lucrative high street. The plans set out the scope and powers of the MDC and a commitment from the Mayor to provide upfront cash for an upgrade to a specific stretch of the famous street.
However, nowhere in the public consultation is there any detail about where buses, taxis and other motor traffic will be re-routed when the street is pedestrianised, despite the consultation being carried out by Transport for London (TfL).
“Although detailed proposals have not yet been developed to enable the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, there would be a need to divert some or all sections of the existing bus routes along Oxford Street,” and “the restriction of taxi and private hire vehicle access along some or all of the street itself would be carefully considered, along with planning continued access routes through surrounding streets,” is all that is said about traffic displacement.
Little is said about provision for cycling except to state that changes to “cycling access on Oxford Street would mean that an alternative route for those cycling may need to be considered”.
The Mayor and central government see Oxford Street as an area of critical importance for the country’s economy and is estimated to have brought in £25bn to London’s economy in 2022. Sir Sadiq Khan has promised to work with government, businesses and local councils on plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street and turn it into what City Hall described as a “world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure, and outdoor events”.
The Mayor’s proposal also includes creating an MDC, which would give the body its own planning powers and be able to overrule Westminster City Council, which currently manages Oxford Street. The body, which would be set up in January 2026, would consist of at least one elected representative and businesses from each of the local authorities that fall within its boundaries.
Westminster City Council is tipped to be given three seats. The Mayor said: “Oxford Street has been known as the nation’s high street but the area has suffered in recent years. My proposals are designed to unlock the true potential of Oxford Street and deliver a world-class, accessible, clean, avenue.
“These proposals would help to restore this famous part of the capital and support good businesses, while creating new jobs and boosting growth. I encourage everyone to have their say on these proposals, which would transform Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”
Dee Corsi, chief executive of the New West End Company, a business improvement district, said the announcement was an “important step” towards improving Oxford Street. She said: “We have long championed the regeneration of Oxford Street, recognising its vital importance to London and the UK economy.
“With significant private sector investment already driving change, Oxford Street is evolving. It has always been a much-loved destination, attracting Londoners and visitors from around the world. It’s a place where retail, leisure, and culture come together, and with growing demand for high-quality office space, its role as a vibrant commercial hub continues to expand.”
But Tim Barnes, a Conservative West End councillor in Westminster City, said the Mayor should focus on London’s existing issues rather than starting fresh projects. He said: “It’s well known he is already planning to do whatever he wants, regardless of what people say. He never listens and is already spending huge sums of money on his pet project. There is a democratic deficit here.
“No one doubts you could make Oxford Street look better but there’s nothing to suggest the Mayor knows how to fix the knock-on problems his plans will land us with. He should concentrate on tackling the crime and public order issues he is already responsible for, and failing to solve, before taking on new challenges.”
Westminster City Council said the Mayor has committed to an upfront investment for the strip between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road but it did not specify an amount. The council also confirmed the boundary of the MDC has reduced to one block either side of the street in its area.
The council remains responsible for all services outside of the boundary area and said the Mayor has committed, under any future plans to pedestrianise, to consult on allowing north/south access for taxis. City Hall will also prioritise the introduction of electric buses for displaced routes and consolidate freight.
The local authority said the Mayor has agreed, in principle, to a mechanism that will allow Westminster City Council to retain development funds collected in the area. This can relate to strategic infrastructure, carbon offset, employment and skills and affordable housing.
The council said is still believes an MDC is not necessary to drive through the change City Hall is seeking. It said it is working to ensure these commitments are recognised in legally binding agreements.
Cllr Adam Hug, Leader of Westminster Council, said: “Subject to the outcome of the Mayor’s consultation, our role is to ensure that the Mayor’s proposed Oxford Street Transformation delivers for local communities, as well as for London.
“We have already fought hard to secure numerous improvements from the Mayor of London to ensure that any plans for Oxford Street are deliverable and meet the needs of local residents, businesses, and wider London. We seek to work pragmatically with the Mayor’s team to ensure a bright future for the nation’s high street as well as for our residential communities and businesses.”
In September, Westminster City Council Leader, Councillor Adam Hug, wrote to Sadiq Khan and the Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, voicing concerns over the Mayor’s plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street which was announced on 17 September.
In December, Westminster City Council confirm its own £90mn regeneration of Oxford Street was no longer going ahead. The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) understands the local authority has already spent £22mn on the project, which would have allowed traffic to flow down Oxford Street, so far.
The council will reallocate £70mn of capital expenditure intended for the project towards works in Warwick Avenue, Paddington Green and along the Grand Union canal, £2mn on extra CCTV cameras throughout the city and £3mn on measures to prevent surface water flooding.
The MDC will also include a large chunk of Fitzrovia south from Goodge Street in the London Borough of Camden.
Councillor Richard Olszewski, leader of Camden Council, uncritically welcomed Khan’s announcement.
“The London-wide and national economic benefits of such a scheme are there to be seen for residents and visitors alike, as are wider benefits for air quality and health and wellbeing. This is a significant development for central London and a new use of powers. We look forward to engaging with the Mayor and other stakeholders on the consultation and continuing to work with them on developing the proposals, including to benefit neighbouring areas like Fitzrovia and Holborn,” he said.
Green Party London Assembly Member Caroline Russell also welcomed the announcement:
“To make Oxford Street safer and cleaner, pedestrianisation is the best way forward. I’ve been asking the mayor to do this for years, so I’m pleased to see a public consultation finally taking place.
“Oxford Street should be a flagship location for Londoners, not a place where buses are stuck idling in traffic. Cities around the world are seeing the benefits of walkable spaces so it’s good London is following their lead.
“It’s crucial that the details are right. Oxford Street must be accessible for everyone. If the Mayor is serious about creating an inclusive city, he needs to listen to older and disabled Londoners. We can’t afford to get this wrong.
“The Mayor has committed to a transparent process, and I will make sure he is held accountable to it.”
To take part in the consultation go to www.london.gov.uk/your-oxford-street
Additional reporting by Linus Rees.
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