Central London's Oxford Street is now traffic-free along a nearly 1km stretch between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street, with major changes to bus services taking effect. Buses, cars, taxis, bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and pedicabs are no longer permitted to use the affected stretch at any time of day or night.
Preparations began at the weekend, and bus services stopped running through the affected stretch from last night (Sunday, October 25). Several routes are diverted onto surrounding roads, with new bus stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place, while other services are shortened, meaning some passengers will need to change buses to complete their journeys.
Daytime bus route changes
According to Transport for London (TfL), five daytime bus routes are affected by the pedestrianisation. Route 7, between East Acton and Oxford Circus, will be shortened to terminate at Cumberland Gate near Marble Arch instead of Oxford Circus, with passengers travelling further east able to change to route 98 on Edgware Road. Route 94, between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus, will terminate at Marble Arch, with passengers heading towards Oxford Circus and beyond able to change to routes 98 or 390.
Routes 98, 139 and 390 will be diverted away from Oxford Street via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, continuing to serve the wider area with replacement stops on nearby streets. Routes 55 and 73 are not among the five daytime services being permanently rerouted as part of the main pedestrianisation scheme, although temporary roadworks may affect journeys in the surrounding area.
Night-time bus route changes
Night bus services are also affected, with several routes diverted or shortened to avoid the new traffic-free section. Route N7 will terminate at Cumberland Gate near Marble Arch rather than Oxford Circus, with passengers able to change to the N98 on Edgware Road. Routes N98 and N207 will be diverted via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, serving alternative stops north of Oxford Street.
Route N113 will no longer continue through Oxford Street towards Trafalgar Square, terminating at Cumberland Gate near Marble Arch, with passengers travelling towards central London able to change to route 139 on Baker Street. Route N137 will terminate at Cumberland Gate instead of Oxford Circus, with passengers able to change to route 390 on Park Lane. The 24-hour routes 94, 139 and 390 will also follow their revised routes during overnight services.
What to expect as a passenger
Replacement stops are located approximately 200 metres from the traffic-free section of Oxford Street, meaning passengers may need to walk a few extra minutes to catch their usual service. Passengers using routes 7, 94, N7, N113 and N137 may need to switch buses at Marble Arch or nearby stops.
Although vehicles will no longer be able to travel along the pedestrianised stretch, several roads crossing Oxford Street, including Regent Street, Duke Street and Great Portland Street, will remain open to traffic. Cyclists, including e-bike users, will not be permitted to ride through the traffic-free zone, though mobility scooters will still be allowed. Emergency vehicles will continue to have access to the pedestrianised area.
TfL is advising passengers to check their journeys before travelling and allow extra time, particularly during the first few days of the changes. Tube and rail services will continue to operate as normal, with Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch among the nearby stations serving the area.
