Assembly calls for 'inclusive, safe and accessible' streets in Mayoral plans for Oxford Street
The Mayor’s plans for Oxford Street should recognise the urgency of the climate crisis and prioritise streets that are inclusive, safe, and accessible for all Londoners.
The London Assembly has today called on the Mayor to maximise the public purpose the Mayoral Development Area (MDA) and the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) can provide.
Len Duvall OBE AM, who proposed the substantive motion, said:
“The London Assembly Planning and Regeneration Committee’s scrutiny of the plans and its response to the Mayor’s consultation greatly assisted the wider Assembly in today’s debate.
“The contribution of all Assembly Members also reflected the variety of opinions held by Londoners.”
Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the amendment, said:
“Pedestrianising Oxford Street is a huge step toward reimagining one of London’s most iconic streets for the public good, but how we pedestrianise matters just as much as whether we do it at all.
“Transparency, inclusivity, and climate positivity should be at the forefront of this project and I’m glad the Assembly agrees with me and supported my amendment.
“The Mayor must embed these principles throughout the transformation of Oxford Street so it becomes an accessible and distinctive space for all Londoners and visitors to enjoy.”
The full text of the motion is:
That the Assembly notes the Mayor’s Proposal to designate a Mayoral Development Area for Oxford Street. The Assembly also calls on the Mayor to maximise the public purpose the MDA and the MDC can provide by:
- recognising the urgency of the climate crisis and so make the MDC a climate positive development;
- ensure the MDC is truly publicly-owned and publicly-controlled in perpetuity, so space can be preserved for free public use, and small businesses and creative industries can flourish;
- prioritising implementing Healthy Streets that are inclusive, safe and accessible for all Londoners, including providing world class public toilets; and
- ensuring there is a routine inclusion of transparency clauses in all contracts and written agreements entered into by the Oxford Street MDC, for the purpose of both public interest and Assembly scrutiny.
The meeting can be viewed via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- The motion was agreed by 11 for to 9 against.
- The amendment is not binding on the Mayor
- Caroline Russell AM, who proposed the amended motion, is available for interview.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more details, please contact Alison Bell in the Assembly Media Office on 07887 832 918. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.