Oxford Road shall be pedestrianised as quickly as doable, says London mayor

[ad_1] Sadiq Khan has stated he'll pedestrianise Oxford Road “as shortly as doable”, after two in three respondents to a public session backed plans to ban site visitors from London’s central buying space.

The mayor’s workplace stated there was “overwhelming public and enterprise assist” for the proposals to regenerate the road, whose lustre is slowly returning as malls muscle again among the many candy and memento retailers of doubtful reputation.

Greater than 6,600 companies, people and teams responded to the formal session on plans introduced final yr that included full pedestrianisation of a 0.7-mile strip west from Nice Portland Road; bettering the realm; and permitting avenue cafes and out of doors occasions.

Khan stated: “Oxford Road has suffered over a few years, so pressing motion is required to offer our nation’s excessive avenue a brand new lease of life.

“It’s clear that the overwhelming majority of Londoners and main companies again our thrilling plans, so I’m happy to verify that we'll now be transferring forward as shortly as doable.”

The Labour authorities has stated it can approve a mayoral growth company (MDC) to push by plans, after earlier makes an attempt to pedestrianise the road have been knocked again by Westminster metropolis council. An MDC may now be established in early 2026, together with illustration from the council, which even now underneath Labour management has opposed the scheme.

Cllr Adam Hug, the chief of the council, stated: “Whereas the mayor’s formal choice at present was not the council’s most popular end result, it's removed from sudden, and it's now vital for Oxford Road’s future to maneuver ahead collectively.”

He added that since 2022 the road had “roared again to life after the pandemic” and stated the council would work with Khan to see it “reimagined” in a method that labored for guests, buyers and residents.

Oxford Road is already largely restricted to normal site visitors however is a key route for London buses and taxis. Steve McNamara, the final secretary of the LTDA, which represents black-cab drivers, thought the plans would worsen congestion within the capital. “Placing this site visitors down surrounding streets will trigger chaos – we’re already Europe’s most congested metropolis, perhaps we’ll now get the world title,” he stated.

Detailed site visitors proposals to reroute buses and ban all site visitors shall be launched and consulted on later this yr.

Khan added: “We wish to rejuvenate Oxford Road; set up it as a world chief for buying, leisure and out of doors occasions with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue. This may assist to draw extra worldwide guests, and act as a magnet for brand new funding and job creation, driving progress and financial prosperity for many years to return.”

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Angela Rayner, he deputy prime minister, stated: “We wish to see Oxford Road turn into the thriving place to be for vacationers and Londoners alike, and that’s why we welcome the mayor of London’s daring proposals to realize that.”

The massive retailers on the road, together with Ikea, which just lately opened its a retailer there, additionally backed the mayor. The chief government of Ikea Uk and Eire, Peter Jelkeby, stated the pedestrianisation plan was a optimistic step that may “create a extra welcoming and accessible house – bringing wide-ranging advantages to guests, buyers, companies and the broader group”.

The chief director of Selfridges, Meave Wall, stated the division retailer was “massively energised by the renewed dedication to make this space extra attractive and enticing for locals and guests from around the globe”.