Mayor Sadiq Khan advances plans to create a car-free zone along Oxford Street, promising reduced congestion and a vibrant, accessible retail and cultural hub, despite opposition concerns over practicality and accessibility.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is advancing a bold plan to pedestrianise a significant stretch of Oxford Street, one of the city’s—and indeed the world’s—busiest shopping districts. The initiative seeks to create a vehicle-free zone along a 0.7-mile section between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with potential extensions towards Tottenham Court Road under consideration. This comes in the wake of a trial closure in September 2024, where Oxford Street was cleared of traffic for a day, transforming the area into a vibrant pedestrian space with themed outdoor activities, special retail offers, and cultural events aimed at showcasing the potential benefits of a car-free environment.
Oxford Street draws around half a million visitors daily and remains a crucial economic artery for London, contributing approximately £25 billion annually. However, the street grapples with heavy congestion, frequent collisions, and pollution challenges. Between 2016 and 2024, data from City Hall recorded 125 serious injuries and four fatalities among pedestrians and other road users. According to Tanya Braun, Director of External Affairs for Living Streets, pedestrianisation could curb unnecessary short car journeys, reduce congestion, and enhance the pedestrian experience by creating a safer, more accessible environment. The Mayor envisions a revitalised Oxford Street that supports leisure activities such as al fresco dining and outdoor events, aiming to rejuvenate the area from the dual blows of the pandemic and the rise of online shopping.
Public and business support for the plans appears robust, with nearly 70% of respondents backing the pedestrianisation proposal according to a consultation conducted by Transport for London. Major retailers including Selfridges, John Lewis, and Ikea have welcomed the scheme, seeing it as a catalyst to boost retail activity and economic growth for both London and the wider UK. Formal detailed proposals addressing traffic and highway management for the pedestrianised sections are expected to be unveiled and consulted on later in the year, signalling a broader move towards transforming the street into a world-class, accessible destination.
Despite widespread endorsement, the project faces significant opposition and practical concerns. Some critics, such as Conservative Councillor Tim Barnes, argue that the plans have not been sufficiently thought through and warn that redirecting traffic off Oxford Street will simply displace congestion to narrower side streets. This, they fear, could escalate pollution and inconvenience for local residents and businesses without delivering real benefits. Pollutant levels on Oxford Street have reportedly fallen significantly in recent years, with nitrogen dioxide dropping well below legal limits, raising questions about the necessity of the measures purely on air quality grounds.
Other voices, including those from disabled advocacy groups, emphasise the importance of ensuring the plans do not disadvantage people with mobility challenges. Key concerns centre around how bus routes, taxi access, and pick-up/drop-off points will be managed, given the reliance of many disabled Londoners on public transport for accessing central areas like Oxford Street.
Further caution comes from Westminster City Council leadership, which has noted “substantial practical challenges” in implementing the pedestrianisation. The estimated project cost is around £150 million, with funding expected to be sourced from a combination of local businesses, new revenue opportunities, and private investment. The joint responsibility for Oxford Street, now under Transport for London for highways maintenance and Westminster City Council for cleaning and refuse, sets the administrative backdrop for these ambitious redevelopment plans.
Mayor Khan remains resolute in his vision, stating that pedestrianisation will unlock Oxford Street’s true potential to become a cleaner, greener, safer space that competes on a global stage. Comparisons are often drawn with successful European and international pedestrian zones that have revitalised urban high streets, although sceptics caution that London’s unique weather and urban fabric present distinctive challenges not easily overcome by importing such models.
As preparations for the Mayoral Development Corporation proceed, enabling the strategic management of Oxford Street and its surroundings, the debate continues. The transformation to a largely car-free Oxford Street is set to bring significant change, promising a reimagined urban space while prompting ongoing dialogue about balancing accessibility, environmental impact, and the practical needs of Londoners and visitors alike.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, with the latest information from September 2025. However, similar plans have been reported since September 2024, indicating that the core proposal is not entirely new. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx244r3n50xo?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of a trial closure in September 2024 adds a layer of freshness to the report. The article also references a press release from the Mayor’s office, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx24414r967o?utm_source=openai)) No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The narrative does not appear to be republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The update on the trial closure in September 2024 justifies a higher freshness score but should still be flagged as potentially recycled content.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Mayor Sadiq Khan and other officials are consistent with those found in previous reports from September 2024. No variations in wording were noted, suggesting that the quotes are reused from earlier publications. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx244r3n50xo?utm_source=openai)) The absence of new, exclusive quotes may indicate a lack of original reporting.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable news outlet, mylondon.news, which is known for its coverage of local London news. However, the article heavily relies on a press release from the Mayor’s office, which may introduce bias. The heavy reliance on a press release warrants a higher freshness score but should be flagged as potentially biased. The presence of multiple references to other reputable sources, such as the BBC and Reuters, adds credibility to the report. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx244r3n50xo?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street align with previous reports and the Mayor’s office press release. The narrative includes specific details about the trial closure in September 2024 and the proposed plans for a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch. ([bbc.co.uk](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx244r3n50xo?utm_source=openai)) The inclusion of updated data on the trial closure in September 2024 justifies a higher plausibility score but should still be flagged as potentially recycled content.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recent developments regarding the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, incorporating a trial closure in September 2024, which adds freshness. However, the core proposal has been reported since September 2024, and the article heavily relies on a press release from the Mayor’s office, which may introduce bias. The absence of new, exclusive quotes and the reliance on previously reported information suggest that the content may be recycled. While the inclusion of updated data justifies a higher freshness score, the overall assessment remains open due to potential biases and the lack of original reporting.