Camden leader says he backs Khan’s Oxford Street plans

Camden Council leader Richard Olszewski has broken his silence on the Mayor of London’s Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans and has uncritically offered his backing, despite concerns raised by residents about motor traffic being displaced into Fitzrovia.

Speaking to members of the London Assembly’s Planning and Regeneration Committee on Wednesday the Labour councillor welcomed the Labour Mayor’s vision for Oxford Street and announced that Camden Council was developing similar plans for pedestrianising New Oxford Street.

He dismissed claims that traffic will displaced into Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia and instead said that the neighbourhoods would benefit from the proposals.

A stony-faced Olszewski said he had no issue with the extent of the planned Mayoral Development Area which extends up to Goodge Street, saying he was “content” and thought it was a good idea to have it included — seemingly willing to give away a large part of Camden’s Bloomsbury ward.

He reiterated his support by making a public statement on Camden Council’s website:

“We know Oxford Street has struggled in recent years, so we welcome the proposals which could transform the area and the wider West End by increasing visitors, improving air quality, creating more jobs and supporting businesses to thrive,” he wrote.

“We are, however, keen to learn more about how these proposals will work in practice so the area can remain accessible and benefit local communities. We are also seeking to form a partnership and set agreements with the Mayor to ensure the MDC can deliver on its objectives, the wider West End is supported and our residents can play an active and full part in its future.

“Camden has a strong track record of creating healthy and safe streets for all. From the creation of award winning new public spaces such as Alfred Place as part of the West End Project and the Holborn Liveable Neighbourhood Project which aims to transform Holborn. We are now building on this success through a number of projects that are complementary to the Oxford Street proposals.

“We will continue to work closely with the Mayor and other stakeholders on the consultation and developing the proposals, including to ensure these changes can benefit neighbouring areas like Fitzrovia and Holborn,” he said.

Neither the Camden leader nor any of the local ward councillors have been in touch with residents in Fitzrovia about the Mayor’s plans.

The Charlotte Street Association residents’ group wrote to Bloomsbury ward councillors, London Assembly Members, and Keir Starmer MP in October last year expressing concern about the Mayor’s Oxford Street plans, but have so far received no response.

Olszewski’s comments this week mark a departure from his previous silence and it will likely increase the arm-twisting that the Labour Party machine will bring to bear on Westminster Council’s Labour leader Adam Hug who already has deputy prime minister Angela Rayner breathing down his neck.

At the London Assembly, Hug looked uncomfortable answering questions from Assembly members and at one point Tim Lord of the Soho Society, who was also answering questions, quipped that Hug was “afraid to speak his mind”.

Andrew Boff (Conservative) chair of the London Assembly committee, asked Olszewski and Hug if they “got along” to which Hug responded by rather clumsily hugging his Camden Labour colleague.

However, the division between the two leaders is plain to see. Hug in the autumn last year publicly asked the Mayor a number of questions about how traffic will be managed but has so far not received answers.

And in contrast to Camden Council, Westminster Council has actively engaged with residents on the issue of Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans, as opposed to ignoring them.

Labour on Westminster Council only has a majority of two councillors and fears losing control to the Conservatives at the next election. Camden, by contrast has a huge majority, and can afford to show contempt for local residents.

Greater London Authority, Planning and Regeneration Committee, 2 April 2025. Agenda. Webcast.

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