The London mayor faces allegations of notifying Westminster City Council merely an hour prior to the public announcement of a car-free day on Oxford Street.
On 21 September, the street will be closed to vehicles from noon until 8:00 PM BST for a complimentary event that will showcase fashion, music, and cuisine, highlighting the potential benefits of pedestrianisation.
Documents reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) indicate that the Greater London Authority provided the council with only minimal information before a press release was sent to the media on 29 August.
A representative for Sir Sadiq Khan dismissed these claims as “absolutely false,” asserting that City Hall has been “collaborating closely” with the council regarding the event.
City Hall has framed this occasion as a trial for the mayor’s long-term goal to make Oxford Street fully pedestrian-friendly, a vision he initially outlined the previous year.
Sir Sadiq remarked: “This presents a remarkable chance to experience Oxford Street in a completely new way—free of traffic and brimming with music, delicious cuisine, engaging pop-ups, and entertainment for all.”
Data from a consultation conducted earlier this year revealed that 70% of participants were in favor of revitalizing the street, with two-thirds explicitly supporting the idea of pedestrianisation.
City Hall aspires to create a Mayoral Development Corporation by January 2026 to oversee this initiative.
Westminster’s Labour leadership has voiced concerns regarding the implementation of permanent pedestrianisation, particularly its effects on traffic congestion and access for older residents.
During a meeting last year, Council Leader Adam Hug mentioned that the local authority had been made aware of the mayor’s broader pedestrianisation plans just days prior to their public announcement.
In response to inquiries about the trial on 21 September, the council stated it was informed “in advance” of the announcement but did not specify how much prior notice it received.
Tim Barnes, the Tory deputy leader on the council, expressed to the LDRS that the mayor seems uninterested in engaging in substantial discussions or listening to local stakeholders.
“He has never sought input from local councillors concerning the pedestrianisation plans,” he added.
This discussion takes place as Westminster City Council and the Crown Estate explore distinct modifications to the area, which include making Regent Street St James’s traffic-free and introducing two-way traffic on Haymarket.
Taxi organizations have raised objections to these proposals. Karen Proctor, chair of the United Cabbies Group, warned that they might “sacrifice a perceived short-term aesthetic improvement for long-term urban disruption.”
Both the council and the Crown Estate affirmed that taxis play a “crucial role in the West End’s transportation system” and that feedback from drivers is influencing the plans.
