Mayor of London marks ‘momentous’ new era for Oxford Street as it goes traffic-free

• The nation’s high street is permanently traffic-free for the first time from today, as the Mayor’s bold vision of a world-class pedestrian plaza starts coming to life in time for its busiest Christmas shopping period

• Mayor Sadiq Khan calls today a ‘truly momentous occasion for the capital’ 

• Removing traffic is just the start of Oxford Street’s transformation, with major improvements planned for 2027

• Ongoing transformation will see more than 50 new trees, 100+ seats, two public squares, rest areas and better signage to help more people enjoy the newly pedestrianised area 

Today (Monday 26 October) marks the moment that Oxford Street becomes permanently traffic-free for the first time, with almost a kilometre of the iconic road pedestrianised, as the Mayor of London launches an exciting new chapter for the nation’s high street.

The section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street is now closed to private motorised vehicles, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs – transforming it into a place for people, not traffic, and creating a safe and spacious shopping hub in time for the busiest retail period of the year.

The transformation of Oxford Street has been in the making for decades, with previous attempts to pedestrianise the street failing to materialise. With the Mayor and Government now working together to deliver these bold plans, it finally unlocks a truly new era for the street. 

Following extensive consultations showing widespread support from Londoners and businesses, with around 7 in 10 backing the Mayor’s plans [1], this key milestone in the history of the nation’s high street kicks off the transformative works. The first stage of the pedestrianisation project will see the introduction of a temporary ‘transitional scheme’ to deliver some immediate improvements for visitors, while enabling public feedback to help refine the final designs for a traffic-free Oxford Street.

The project will create a world-class destination for visitors and Londoners alike - where flagship retail sits alongside next-generation workplaces, leisure, culture and hospitality - giving people more reasons to visit, stay longer and return more often. The new pedestrianisation and wider regeneration project aims to put Oxford Street back among top global shopping destinations including Times Square, the Champs-Élysées and La Rambla.

Buses, taxis, bikes and other motor vehicles are being diverted onto nearby roads, with close monitoring from Transport for London (TfL) to ensure traffic moves effectively while creating a greener, safer and more accessible Oxford Street. New bus stops along Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place are approximately 200 metres from the traffic-free area – meaning people wishing to visit the area by bus can still do so easily and conveniently. Emergency services will have access to the street at all times, while deliveries can be made in the traffic-free area from midnight to 7am to support local businesses and retailers.

This is the first stage of a phased delivery programme, with minimal construction happening in the immediate weeks to reduce disruption in the busy Christmas period.  By the end of spring 2027, visitors to Oxford Street should expect to see more than 50 new trees, two new public squares and better signage. More than a hundred new seats, dining tables and new lighting will also be installed to help more people enjoy the iconic area. TfL will be working to maintain the street to ensure that it remains a safe environment for all, while street cleaning within the pedestrianised area will continue to be carried out by Westminster City Council. 

Design changes in this first phase are intended to be temporary, enabling real-time data collection and feedback on how people use the newly pedestrianised space – including residents, accessibility groups, businesses, police, workers and other stakeholders. This insight will help refine the design of permanent improvements to make Oxford Street as welcoming and inclusive as possible. Feedback can be shared by emailing [email protected], with further opportunities next year to attend events and give feedback in person.

Oxford Street is the nation’s high street, home to iconic brands and the flagship destination in London's Central Activities Zone – playing a significant global role in the retail, culture, entertainment and tourism sectors, with an annual spend of around £3.1bn [2]. It’s increasingly popular as an office location, particularly thanks to the Elizabeth line, with new developments attracting leading global and UK businesses [3]. Savills reports businesses rushing to secure space in the area ahead of its anticipated regeneration [4] as the Mayor’s transformational plans are designed to attract more national and international visitors - bringing the world to London and showcasing the best of London to the world - while also acting as a magnet for new customers, investment and jobs, driving growth and prosperity for decades to come.

Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I’m hugely excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street coming to life from today. It is a truly momentous occasion for the capital. I encourage everyone to explore and enjoy the newly traffic-free street, as we create a new vibrant destination that welcomes Londoners and visitors from around the world. 

“For centuries, Oxford Street has reinvented itself, adapting to changing times and helping shape British culture along the way. There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades. After so many false dawns, and now working with a Government who share the scale of my ambition, I’m proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street.

“The transformation will turn the nation’s high street into a world-class pedestrian space, where flagship retailers will sit alongside new shops and workplaces – and we’ll bring exciting new experiences to the street, from sport to fashion and cultural events. Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital, unlock the full potential of this key part of the West End, and help build a better, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”

London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said: “Today is an exciting day for the West End as Oxford Street becomes traffic-free between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, creating a safer space for people to enjoy the retail and leisure. A huge amount of work has gone into delivering this change, and as we continue to deliver further improvements to this new pedestrian space in the coming months, we will be closely monitoring these changes to make sure they are working for everyone and supporting the continued economic growth London needs.”

Oxford Street Development Corporation chief executive, Nabeel Khan, said: “Our ambition is to create an Oxford Street that works for everyone, whether they live, work, visit or run a business here. I am delighted that we have today reached a real milestone with nearly one kilometre of Oxford Street becoming traffic-free. This marks the beginning of a once-in-a-generation transformation for one of London's most iconic destinations. The transition phase is a vital opportunity for us at OSDC to test ideas, learn from people's experiences and work closely with local communities, businesses and accessibility groups to ensure the future street is as welcoming and inclusive as possible.”

Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Angela Rayner, said: “Oxford Street is one of the most iconic shopping destinations in the world. This marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street, creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of our capital.”

John Lewis COO Naomi Simcock said: “Having served Oxford Street for over 160 years, we've seen plenty of change, and the move to make the area more pedestrian-friendly is one of the most exciting. Retailers need to step up too, which is why we've invested millions in refurbishing our flagship store. With our new 300-seat restaurant, sports department, and festive plans, we're working closely with the Mayor’s Office to give people even more reasons to visit London’s most iconic high street.”

Selfridges chief retail and digital officer Meave Wall said: “Today marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street as work begins to transform one of the world’s most iconic high streets. At Selfridges, we see first-hand the excitement the street generates especially at this time of year as visitors travel from near and far to shop, explore and enjoy the festive atmosphere. With more space to roam and discover everything the area has to offer, we hope even more people will be inspired to visit not only this Christmas, but all year round.” 

Under Armour retail director Mathieu Guillemet said: "Oxford Street has always been a place where the world comes to experience London. Making it pedestrian-first creates an exciting opportunity to make that experience even stronger. For Under Armour, with a strong presence on Oxford Street since 2022, creating a more accessible and engaging environment gives us an opportunity to connect with consumers beyond traditional retail and bring sport, community and brand experiences to life in the heart of London.”

Savills co-head of global retail Sam Foyle said: “We're experiencing unprecedented appetite from brands for space on Oxford Street, with competition for prime units continuing to intensify. As a microcosm of the UK high street, the street's performance often reflects wider retail trends, and we're seeing increasing commitment from occupiers looking to make long-term investments in high-profile flagship retail and leisure destinations. The removal of traffic represents another important milestone in Oxford Street's transformation, and will help unlock further momentum at a time when retailer interest is already at exceptionally high levels. Alongside significant investment, it sends a powerful signal about the street's future, further strengthening Oxford Street's position as a world-class retail destination for leading global brands.”

Market Halls CEO Dan Hills said: “As one of the largest hospitality businesses on Oxford Street, we welcome plans to pedestrianise the area and the opportunity it creates to enhance one of London’s most iconic destinations. Oxford Street has evolved into more than a shopping destination, with hospitality, leisure and culture playing an increasingly important role in its appeal. Creating a more people-focused environment will encourage visitors to spend more time in the area, supporting local businesses and helping Oxford Street realise its full potential.” 

UK Hospitality CEO Allen Gregory said: “The opportunity for Oxford Street to become a hub of hospitality and leisure is incredibly exciting and the first pedestrianisation of the iconic street is an important moment in its transformation. I'm looking forward to continuing our engagement with the Mayor and his team on this ambitious project.”

New West End Company CEO Dee Corsi said: “Today marks one of the most significant days in the history of Oxford Street – a road that dates as far back as the Roman era and has been a centre for commerce for over 200 years.  The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street presents a major opportunity to transform the visitor experience and attract more people to the West End. 

“As businesses enter the crucial Christmas trading period, the focus must now be on getting the delivery right and ensuring that Oxford Street thrives as the nation’s high street. West End businesses are deeply invested in the project’s success, and the priorities are clear - ensuring the street is safe, clean, accessible and welcoming, while getting the practical details right. We will continue to work closely with our members, the Oxford Street Development Corporation, the Mayor, Westminster City Council and Transport for London to help realise Oxford Street’s potential and ensure its transformation benefits the wider West End.”

Grosvenor Property CEO Jamie Witty-Lewis said: “The removal of traffic from Oxford Street marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the future of the West End, attracting people from around the world to explore the street and surrounding neighbourhoods. The opportunity goes well beyond Oxford Street itself: the transformation has the potential to catalyse investment and create the conditions for further growth. Through collaboration between public and private sector organisations, we can build on this momentum, unlock new opportunities, and ensure the West End competes as a world-class destination on the global stage.”

Urban Retreat MD John Gillespie said: “Great cities give their streets back to people, Oxford Street deserves nothing less, and Urban Retreat is looking forward to being part of its next chapter. Oxford Street is slowing the traffic and accelerating its future. Urban Retreat is proud to be part of that momentum.”

Guide Dogs head of policy, public affairs and campaigns Eleanor Briggs said: “The start today of the traffic-free transformation of large areas of Oxford Street is welcome news, helping to make this London landmark more inclusive for the approximately 214,000 Londoners living with sight loss, and thousands of others who visit the capital every year. We are delighted that the vision for this iconic location to be a more accessible space is becoming a reality, so people will be able to enjoy everything Oxford Street has to offer.”         

DisOrdinary co-director Scar Barclay said: “We have been working with the design teams to understand Disabled people's experience of the street as it is and could be through its pedestrianisation. We start from the creativity of Disabled artists and want to push for an understanding of access embedded with joy, curiosity and play. Through this process, we have been delighted at the warmth and interest by OSDC and the wider team to go beyond compliance and explore a disability-informed public realm. This openness is needed, because Oxford Street pedestrianisation may provide an example to future developments of how we can modify a built environment not originally designed with Disabled people in mind. For us, this is about broadening out who feels welcome and comfortable on Oxford Street. We look forward to exploring the design outcomes of our research and artists' feedback with the project team, rehearsing together, as the project comes to life.”

Living Streets CEO Catherine Woodhead said: “With families enjoying the school holidays and Christmas around the corner, we want people to feel safe and happy to spend time on Oxford Street. For too long, vehicles have been prioritised over people, making the street unsafe and polluted. By making it easier for people to walk, we can create a healthier environment while attracting business and economic growth. Putting people first on one of the country’s most famous streets will hopefully inspire a whole host of walkable high streets across the UK.”

Clean Cities founder Barbara Stoll said: “Oxford Street is famous for its shop windows, but for too long the view has come with a side of exhaust fumes. Londoners, businesses and visitors have been asking for better for years. The Mayor deserves credit for making it happen. A world-famous shopping street should be a place to linger, browse and spend, with room to breathe. Giving people more space is good for the city and good for business. Pedestrianisation is Oxford Street’s long-overdue glow-up. London has plenty more streets ready for a makeover, and Europe’s mayors should take note. Now let’s take that ambition beyond Oxford Street!”

Hawkins Brown partner and urban design lead Darryl Chen said: “This momentous closure signals but the start of a programme of transformation that will see change in time across the whole Oxford Street and the wider West End. As we set aspirations and benchmarks for the whole street including its ecology of side streets and neighbourhoods, we're looking forward to an Oxford Street that works as well as it can for as many as it can.” 

East director Julian Lewis said: “The transitional design stage will enable Oxford Street to be tested by the public, enabling us to develop permanent designs for the car-free sections of the street in ways that are informed through use. This is how all public spaces should be designed, and we are really excited to be working with the OSDC and our team in this unique way. We're looking forward to testing and reviewing the designs with Londoners as they walk through the transitional spaces.”