The Marylebone Association has warned there will be “chaos” if Sadiq Khan’s traffic diversion plans to enable the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street West go ahead.
The residents’ group said the proposals were “dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic for the surrounding neighbourhoods”.
City Hall and Transport for London (TfL) on Friday set out detailed proposals for transport and highway changes to aid pedestrianisation of the famous street, in a new consultation which will run until 16 January 2025.
The proposal includes closing Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street to private vehicles, buses, taxis and private hire vehicles as well as cycles, scooters and pedicabs. Emergency services would still have access to the street at any time.
The proposals listed in the public consultation include:
- Allowing service and delivery vehicles to access the street between midnight and 7am;
- Installing new and wider pedestrian crossings;
- Continued use of alternative traffic routes (general traffic is already banned between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday);
- Rerouting buses serving Oxford Street along Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. Increased journey times have been calculated to be “less than a minute”, according to City Hall;
- New bus stops, taxi ranks and drop-off locations as close to the pedestrianised area as possible;
- Possibly increasing blue-badge parking bays in the area;
- New cycle routes (in development by Westminster Council). Cycling would not be permitted through the pedestrianised zone.
Responding to the news, Marylebone Association said: “Despite half a century of failed pedestrianisation proposals, the Mayor is pressing ahead once again — this time through a new Mayoral Development Corporation, removing Westminster Council’s democratic oversight. Residents say the scheme solves nothing and creates new risks on an unprecedented scale.”
They warn closing the half-mile long east-west artery will force traffic into surrounding neighbourhoods like Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Soho. “Oxford Street may be car-free — its neighbours will not be,” the association said.
They said the proposed scheme breaks up relied-upon bus routes and forces the elderly, disabled, low-income workers and carers to walk 200 to 400 metres to new diverted stops and make additional interchanges. They said it would also push taxi ranks and bus stands into side streets where residents live. However TfL’s consultation states it’s only 100-200m that people would have to walk.
Marylebone warned it could lead to more street crime and rough sleeping. A spokesperson for the group said: “This is not regeneration — it is vandalism. It takes a functioning street and breaks the neighbourhoods around it. The Mayor is selling a fantasy while ignoring the real-world consequences for residents, workers, businesses and vulnerable Londoners.”
Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said “urgent action” is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life. He said: “A reimagined Oxford Street can bring the world to London and showcase the best of London to the world, and I’m pleased that we’re now moving ahead with our exciting plans to regenerate this iconic area, backed by the vast majority of Londoners and businesses.
“These new proposals map out the potential next steps with Transport for London to make our vision of a thriving, greener Oxford Street a reality.”
The plans rely on Sadiq Khan establishing a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) to gain control of the area and developing his plans. The plans so far have the backing of the Government and the London Assembly.
The consultation is separate from a previous one that ended in June which saw 66 per cent of Londoners back proposals to regenerate and pedestrianise Oxford Street. An even higher number — 69pc — expressed support for creating an MDC.
Along with Marylebone, residents groups in Fitzrovia, Mayfair and Soho strongly oppose the plans due to the expected displacement of motor traffic.
Claire Mann, Chief Operating Officer at TfL, said: “Oxford Street is an iconic location, and these proposals would see the key section from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street pedestrianised — creating a safer and more pleasant overall experience when shopping, dining or simply exploring the area. We look forward to hearing the public feedback on these proposals and, subject to the consultation results, delivery of the scheme could begin in the second half of 2026.”
This is the first stage of a three-stage plan by Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise Oxford Street. Further public consultations on changes to the rest of the shopping street are expected next year. An Oxford Street Development Corporation is due to be set up from 1 January 2025 to lead the street’s transformation.
Transport for London is seeking views on the proposed transport and highway changes to enable the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street. Have your say at the consultation link. Deadline for comments is 16 January 2026.
Additional reporting by Linus Rees.
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.
