Nearly one kilometre of Oxford Street, London's most famous shopping destination, is now closed to traffic. As of 26 October, cars, buses, and bicycles are no longer allowed along the busy section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Vehicles have been moved onto surrounding roads, leaving the street open only to people on foot.
Oxford Street welcomes about half a million visitors each day to major stores like Selfridges and John Lewis. City officials have discussed pedestrianising the street—closing it completely to motor vehicles—for more than ten years. London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC that this change marks a "momentous day" and the start of a "new era." Officials hope a car-free street will help London compete with other famous shopping areas, such as Times Square in New York and the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
The project gained momentum over the past two years after the mayor's office formed the Oxford Street Development Corporation. This helped address concerns from local residents, who worried that diverted traffic would clog nearby neighbourhoods. A public consultation found that removing vehicles would bring new shops and more visitors to the area. Transport also improved recently with the Elizabeth Line train, which stops directly beneath Oxford Street.
Closing the road to traffic is just the first step in a larger makeover. The city plans to plant trees, install public seating, and build two new squares. Further work will start in the new year after officials review feedback from visitors, but the street will stay open for pedestrians during the busy Christmas shopping season.