Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise London's Oxford Street- everything you need to know

The mayor of London hopes to turn the famous shopping street into a “traffic-free pedestrianised avenue”, creating a “beautiful public space”.

The Labour mayor first made plans to pedestrianise the road back in 2017, but this was blocked by the then-Conservative run Westminster Council.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is backing the proposals saying it will “drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity”. It will also give a “much-needed boost” to London’s night-time economy.

Under Mayor Khan’s proposal, a 0.7 mile (1.1km) stretch would be pedestrianised between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road.

His vision is for a “traffic-free pedestrianised avenue” to compete with Times Square in New York, the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Las Ramblas in Barcelona, and for Oxford Street to become the “leading retail destination in the world”.

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The project is expected to cost about £150m, with City Hall officials hoping to finance it through local businesses, private funders and new revenue streams.

Mr Khan, said: “Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain’s retail sector, but there’s no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade. Urgent action is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life.

“I am excited to be working with the new Government, and local retailers and businesses, on these plans - that will help to restore this famous part of the capital to its former glory, while creating new jobs and economic prosperity for the capital and the country.”

City Hall Conservatives have blasted Mr Khan for overruling Westminster Council’s “shovel ready” £90m regeneration plans for the shopping street.

The council’s plans included wider footpaths and more seating and trees planted and would maintain direct bus access to Oxford Street.

In a joint statement, the Conservative Assembly Members said: “It is deeply concerning however to read that the Mayor intends to overrule a London Council, deprive them of planning responsibility, and shunt it into another Mayoral Development Corporation.

“If his track record of delivery at the London Legacy Development Corporation and Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation are anything to go by, Londoners can expect the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street to be significantly over budget, behind schedule, and a top-drawer example of mismanaged public resources. 

“We hope that this is not the start of a trend under a Labour Government and a Labour Mayor to go over the heads of local Councils with decisions.”

Nickie Aiken, the former Tory MP for the Cities of London and Westminster accused the mayor and Government of railroading decisions local people do not support.

In a post on X, Ms Aiken wrote: “So this is what the UK Labour government means by change. Take away local democracy & railroad decisions local people do not support. I hope (Cllr Adam Hug) and (Westminster Council) will stand up to this bullying and bring a judicial review.

Officials say Oxford Street is in need of 'major regeneration', in the face of competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres, the closure of flagship department stores, and the prevalence of ‘candy stores’. 

These have 'put significant strain on Oxford Street’s attractiveness', while tourism numbers have not fully recovered since the pandemic, City Hall says.

Peter Ruis, executive director for John Lewis, which has been on Oxford Street since 1864, said: "We're delighted to see the plans announced today to transform 'the nation's high street’ and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to London’s West End.”

Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: “This is very good news for London’s hospitality businesses.

“Not only can we turn Oxford Street into Europe’s biggest plaza lined with pubs, bars and restaurants, we can show it’s possible to solve the planning and licensing barriers to a thriving social scene. The nation’s high street is back in business.”