Westminster City Council has agreed to give up “highway authority” control of Oxford Street to enable the Mayor of London to push forward with his plans to pedestrianise the street, because it believes it does not have a choice in the matter.
“The Greater London Authority (GLA) has requested Westminster City Council’s (WCC) formal consent to redesignate Oxford Street (A40) as a GLA Road and to designate short side-road lengths as either GLA Roads or GLA Side Roads,” states a cabinet member report for Councillor Max Sullivan who took the decision this week.
The GLA submitted the request in order to clear the way for the forthcoming changes planned by Mayor Khan.
“By agreeing to do this proactively, rather than refusing and waiting for the decision to be made by the Secretary of State, WCC will significantly improve our ability to influence what happens to Oxford Street and how. WCC will work pragmatically and constructively with the GLA to ensure the future success of Oxford Street and represent the interests of residents and businesses,” states the report.
Oxford Street, from Marble Arch to the junction with Tottenham Court Road, will now be under the control of the GLA which will be responsible for its maintenance, incident management, operation of traffic signals, street lighting, drainage, and ensuring the bus stops are in good condition.
Under plans which are due to be approved by central Government by 1 January 2026, an Oxford Street Development Corporation will take control of planning decisions and planning policy (away from Camden and Westminster councils) for the whole of the shopping street as well as a significant number of surrounding streets including the whole of the area south of Goodge Street in Fitzrovia.
Later this year the GLA will reveal further details of the first of three phases of the planned pedestrianisation of the whole length of Oxford Street.
In a public consultation due to start before the end of this year, traffic and highway proposals to pedestrianise the section of road between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street are to be revealed.
The pedestrianisation of the street is strongly opposed by residents groups in the surrounding neighbourhoods due to the displacement of motor traffic into the much narrower side streets. In Fitzrovia West a neighbourhood forum says the Mayor’s plans will undermine local projects to improve the environment.
The forthcoming consultation is expected to provide a scheme of how buses, taxis and other motor vehicles will be diverted through Marylebone and what, if any, arrangements are being made to enable safe cycling through the area.
Details of phases two and three will be revealed at later dates and will describe the plans for the pedestrianisation of the section from Orchard Street to Marble Arch and finally the section from Great Portland Street to Tottenham Court Road.
Two design teams will work on the transformation of the entire street.
“One of the appointed teams will lead the design of the first phase of the Oxford Street Transformation Programme between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. The role of the second design team will be to prepare a Whole Street Concept Design for the full length of Oxford Street from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road,” states City Hall.
The Fitzrovia News understands that officers at TfL recognise the difficulties in diverting buses and other motor traffic off the eastern section of Oxford Street and through Fitzrovia due to the narrow streets and tight turning space at junctions.
Westminster Council decision: Consent to Road Redesignation – Oxford Street and side roads.
Please support The Fitzrovia News. Consider helping us cover our costs by visiting our secure payment page.
Discover more from The Fitzrovia News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
