This Sunday, Oxford Street will be closed to vehicular traffic as part of a car-free day and public event organized by the City Hall. The goal of this initiative is to highlight the mayor of London’s vision for transforming portions of Oxford Street into pedestrian-friendly spaces.
The closure will take place from noon to 8:00 PM BST, affecting the stretch between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus. The mayor’s future plans include expanding the pedestrian zone to encompass a broader area, stretching from Marble Arch to Oxford Circus, with potential restrictions extending eastward towards Tottenham Court Road.
Here’s everything you need to know about the car-free event:
As expected, attendees are encouraged not to arrive by car. Those wishing to attend should consider using public transport, such as the Tube or bus, or walking. The closest Tube stations are Oxford Circus, Bond Street, Marble Arch, and Tottenham Court Road.
Additionally, there will be road closures in the vicinity starting from 9:00 PM on Saturday until 4:00 AM on Monday. Transport for London (TfL) has indicated that bus routes will be altered, so it’s advisable to verify travel details prior to heading out.
Cyclists and riders of e-scooters are prohibited from using their vehicles within the event area and must dismount when crossing through it.
Last year, Sir Sadiq Khan revived efforts to eliminate traffic from certain sections of this iconic shopping street, having had his initial attempt blocked in 2018 by the then-Conservative local council.
The Labour mayor has emphasized the need for “urgent action” to rejuvenate the area, stating that the new plans will provide a “world-class, accessible, clean avenue.” In June, Sir Sadiq committed to advancing these plans “as swiftly as possible.”
This announcement followed a public consultation indicating that two-thirds of respondents were in favor of the traffic ban on a street frequented by approximately half a million visitors daily. The event scheduled for this Sunday seeks to illustrate how pedestrianization could effectively function.
Sir Sadiq Khan remarked: “This is a wonderful chance to experience Oxford Street in a completely different way – free from traffic and filled with music, delicious food, pop-up shops, and entertainment for all.”
However, some concerns have been expressed about the plans by local politicians and taxi organizations. Karen Proctor, chair of the United Cabbies Group, cautioned that pedestrianization might lead to “exchanging a temporary aesthetic improvement for long-term urban issues.”
Later this year, detailed traffic plans regarding pedestrianization will be put forward for consultation. The mayor has announced intentions to realize the project using a seldom-utilized authority to establish a mayoral development corporation (MDC).
The London Assembly has approved his proposal for a Mayoral Development Area (MDA) and the creation of an MDC to facilitate the transformation of Oxford Street. Sir Sadiq has communicated with the secretary of state about the designation of the Oxford Street MDA and requested the formal establishment of the MDC by January 1, 2026.
Once the MDC is in place, the mayor will appoint its board, which will take over the planning powers from local authorities, primarily Westminster.
