'The mayor doesn’t care’: residents slam Sadiq Khan over Oxford Street pedestrianisation as backlash grows

Representatives from the Marylebone Association, the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum and the Soho Society have warned London Assembly members against approving Sadiq Khan’s plans as they currently stand.

Tim Lord, Chair of the Soho Society, said the Mayor should focus on lowering commercial rents. He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “If you want to understand business on Oxford Street, you need to understand what impact the level of commercial rent is having on trade. I would suggest to the Mayor if he wants to bring in a diverse offering then he needs to focus on lowering rents.

“Any business you talk to in the West End says the key thing they start with is rent. It’s what they structure their business around. If rent rates are high, it’s a barrier of entry for businesses.”

Yoram Blumann from the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum warned pedestrianising Oxford Street could lead to more congestion on surrounding roads. He and other residents’ bodies toured the high street with members of the Assembly’s Planning and Regeneration Committee to gauge the impact the Mayor’s plans would have on residents.

Mr Blumann showed members a narrow strip of congested carriageway along Wigmore Road originally tipped to become a bus stop under plans previously proposed by Westminster City Council.

He said: “We think the negative impacts of the shift would outweigh the positive impacts. I think everyone including the GLA (Greater London Authority) were surprised by the Mayor’s announcement, even Westminster City Council. He just announced it.

“The Mayor doesn’t really care about the economy of Oxford Street or about the residents. If you want to seek growth, create high earning jobs in the area.”

Michael Bolt, from the Marylebone Association, feared the Mayoral Development Corporation, an entity being proposed to run the project, had little to no accountability to residents.

He said: “You must remember residents have been dealing with this for the last eight years. The displacement of it all will cause harm to residents and cause traffic problems. It will turn Oxford Street into a piazza-like square. What’s the advantage to shoppers by removing transport links?”

Caroline Russell AM, Leader of the London Assembly Green Group, said the lack of details in the Mayor’s plans had created panic among residents. She said: “It’s fears more than facts at the moment.

“This is supposed to be London’s biggest high street but it’s full of clone shops and traffic but it could be so much nicer to visit. The Mayor could be supporting small businesses, independent shops and cultural activity making Oxford Street a place that more people want to visit. At the moment there is little to no information on what the Mayor plans to do.”

Committee Chair Andrew Boff said he plans to vote against the establishment of an MDC. He said the Mayor needs to clarify his plans for Oxford Street before establishing the authority. He said: “I think the committee would want to ensure residents are not locked out of future discussions.

“If you don’t live in London then pedestrianisation seems so easy and simple but it’s not. People live here. You need to consider deliveries and safety.”

In his capacity as an Assembly Member, Mr Boff said the MDC was a “power grab”. He said: “Obviously there is something wrong with Westminster City’s plans, which is quite extraordinary because the Labour Party has control of Westminster City Council and the Mayor doesn’t seem to trust his party colleagues to come up with good plans for residents.

“If Labour voted for the MDC, they are basically saying their own councillors are incompetent.”

Labour Assembly Member James Small-Edwards was approached but declined to comment.

The public has until May 2 to have their say on the Mayor’s plans. City Hall said the plans were a chance to breathe new life into the UK’s most lucrative high street. Revisions to the plan include reducing the size of the MDC and a commitment from the Mayor to provide upfront cash for an upgrade to a specific stretch of the famous street.

Oxford Street is seen as an area of critical importance for the country’s economy and is estimated to have brought in £25bn to London’s economy in 2022. The Mayor’s proposal also includes creating an MDC, which would give the body its own planning powers and be able to overrule Westminster City Council, which currently manages Oxford Street.

The body would consist of at least one elected representative and businesses from each of the local authorities that fall within its boundaries. A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The Mayor has always been clear that Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, contributing billions to London’s economy.

“But there is no doubt that it has suffered in recent years due to a combination of the pandemic, the growth of online shopping and other factors, and urgent action is needed to give Oxford Street a new lease of life. That’s why a revitalised Oxford Street would increase visitor numbers, create new jobs, and boost retail and growth for London and the rest of the UK.

“The Mayor is working closely with local businesses, residents, and local councils whilst he consults on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street and create a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which would super-charge regeneration and unlock the potential of Oxford Street as we continue to build a better London for everyone. Sadiq encourages everyone to respond to the public consultation he launched in February by May 2.”