Oxford Street is to be pedestrianised by 2020, the Mayor of London has announced.
The central London street is one of London’s busiest shopping areas and bus corridors. New Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan will mean all vehicles being banned from Tottenham Court Road, beyond department store Selfridges and the entrance to Bond Street Underground station and as far as Marble Arch.
Valerie Shawcross, London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, said that buses would be rerouted around Oxford Street, though the details of the new routes have not been released.
Currently, cars are banned on most of Oxford Street between 0700 and 1900hrs, except for Sundays, but it remains a major thoroughfare for buses and taxis. The street has occasionally hosted traffic-free shopping days since 2005.
Work on the 1.2-mile stretch of road is expected to be carried out in two stages to minimise disruption. The ban will be coming into force in the eastern section of the road first, from Oxford Circus onwards.
The move is part of a commitment from the new London Mayor to tackle air pollution in the city.
The pedestrianisation will coincide with the opening of Crossrail, a new rail line that will cross London from east to west.
