London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan’s £150m plan to partially pedestrianise Oxford Street could be implemented by next summer, according to officials involved in the scheme. The project, which would ban buses, taxis and cyclists from about a mile of the street between Selfridges and Ikea, is being fast-tracked to deliver “changes on the ground” within nine to ten months.
However, the plans could face legal challenges if the Conservatives regain control of Westminster Council in next May’s borough elections. The Tories have pledged to seek a judicial review of the scheme, arguing that the mayor has not provided a clear plan for traffic diversion, disabled access, or funding. Paul Swaddle, leader of the Tory opposition on Westminster council, said: “We have pledged to fight the mayor on Oxford Street. He does not have a clear plan, he has not explained where the traffic goes, he has not resolved disabled and less-able access, and it is not supported by residents across Westminster.”
Transport for London (TfL) is due to launch a second consultation on Oxford Street next month, detailing how 16 bus routes will be diverted. About 35 buses per hour currently use the affected section. Last month, Westminster council formally transferred control of Oxford Street to TfL, and a mayoral development corporation will be established on January 1 next year, giving Khan money-raising powers to fund the changes.
City Hall sources said the aim is to make progress as quickly as possible, with “change on the ground next summer”, subject to the consultation outcome. However, critics warn that traffic diverted from Oxford Street will clog residential areas like Marylebone and Fitzrovia. Michael Bolt of the Marylebone Association said: “We know exactly where all this traffic will go. It will go through Marylebone and Fitzrovia. If they close Oxford Street, then Wigmore Street/Mortimer Street is the primary route.”
Bolt suggested the mayor is accelerating his plans to pre-empt a potential judicial review if the Tories win the council elections. He noted that the council transferred ownership of Oxford Street to TfL via a “non-key decision” by a single cabinet member, preventing opposition scrutiny. Last week, Khan hailed a one-day part-pedestrianisation event on September 21 as a “roaring success”, though this was based on feedback from only a dozen firms.
TfL commissioner Andy Lord said there is “no firm date” for pedestrianisation but the aim is “to do it as soon as possible”. He described the one-day closure as “extremely successful” and added: “We are really excited about the project and look forward to getting the consultation going and getting the plans in place to make it pedestrianised.”
