Nearly 2 miles of Oxford Street banish traffic in first phase

On a wet Monday morning, the last double-decker bus turned away from the junction at Oxford Circus, leaving the road empty for the first time in decades. To the west, pedestrians stepped over temporary bollards onto a green banner marking the start of the new pedestrian zone. Nearly 2 miles of the famous shopping street are now closed to private cars, buses, taxis, and e-scooters.

The closure takes effect just before the Christmas shopping season. Mayor Sadiq Khan described the day as momentous, noting that the street had seen a decline over the last two decades. He argued that adding greenery and seating would improve the experience for visitors. The full £150 million transformation, which includes new trees and level plazas for events, is scheduled to begin in spring 2027.

Shoppers expressed relief at the extra space. Daniel Te, who moved to London from the US in July, sketched the crowd on a wet pavement. He said he previously avoided the street because it was too busy, but now he is more inclined to visit. He called the change a big achievement and said he hoped neighboring streets would follow suit.

Raquel Cox, on holiday from Ireland, visited after seeing news reports. She acknowledged that surrounding streets might get busier but called the shopping experience better. Abbas Shigival, who runs a souvenir kiosk at the start of the zone, said the morning was slightly busier than usual. He described the environment as more pleasant because people could walk around without being rushed.

Not all reactions were positive. Ben McMullan, a taxi driver, said traffic was worse on neighboring roads. He dropped off a mother with a pram and a woman with walking difficulties, both of whom struggled with the lack of direct car access. McMullan feared the change would hurt his business as customers realized they could not reach their destinations by cab.

Cyclists also faced obstacles. Jack, a construction worker, was stopped by security guards while riding to work. He said an alternative route would make his commute longer and disagreed with the principle of pedestrianization. He compared the change to low traffic neighborhoods that make it harder for people to use vehicles.

Transport for London chief operating officer Claire Mann said there would be plenty of capacity for bus passengers. She noted that Bond Street and the Elizabeth Line offer alternatives. Khan said London would closely monitor the changes to ensure they work for everyone. He wants the project to prove that investing in people leads to better footfall and spend.