The pedestrianisation of a long stretch of Oxford Street has divided Londoners before it comes into effect next month, with some describing the move as an ‘own goal’.

The half-mile between Selfridges and Oxford Circus will be closed to all traffic – including buses, taxis and bikes – in phases, with work beginning on October 26.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the area will become a ‘world-class plaza’ and will provide benefits for shoppers and the environment. 

spoke to traders, cabbies, commuters and tourists in the planned new zone, which will run from the Oxford Street intersection with Great Portland Street to Orchard Street.

While some have welcomed the move, others had significant reservations over the impact on public transport and the change in character to the historic thoroughfare.

Cab driver Geoff, 57, has been working the West End for more than 20 years.

He said: ‘The centre of London has become a nightmare for drivers with constant road closures and what seems to be an effort by the mayor to penalise anyone on four wheels. The planned pedestrianisation will make things worse for everyone.

‘Nearby roads will be choked by the diverted traffic. There has been no thought put into it as far as I can see. A lot of fares want to be dropped off on Oxford Street, especially the tourists.

‘This is an own goal for tourism; it will just make their lives more difficult.

‘Often they are weighed down with bags after spending money in Selfridges or wherever, which is good for our economy, and want to jump in a cab. What if a person has disabilities?’

Local restaurant manager Luiz Pires, 31, said: ‘It’s a nice idea to have a plaza, but the thing is people like to be dropped off at the door sometimes. They don’t want the inconvenience of having to walk.

‘As a business, we want people to have a variety of ways of getting to us. With no taxis or buses, that limits that.’

There are multiple building developments ongoing around Oxford Street, and vehicles involved in the construction will also be diverted.

A foreman on a redevelopment near Chapel Place, just off Oxford Street, said: ‘Getting vehicles in and out is going to be a massive pain. The traffic is already terrible; this will only make this worse.

‘Yes, tourists will have a nice stretch of road to hang out in. But as soon as they leave the pedestrian zone, it’s going to be bumper-to-bumper traffic and stress all the way.’

The stretch of road will still be served by Oxford Circus and Bond Street stations.

However, the already bustling stations will be under even more pressure when taxis and buses are banned.

Critics say diverting traffic away from Oxford Street would clog up nearby roads and cause more pollution.

City Hall is working with the Oxford Street Development Corporation to make the plans a reality.

‘Oxford Street should be one of the great shopping and leisure destinations’

But Festus Akinbusoye, a Westminster Councillor and prospective Conservative candidate for London Mayor, said pedestrianisation does not automatically lead to regeneration.

He told : ‘Oxford Street should be one of the great shopping and leisure destinations of the world, and I want to see it thriving again.

‘Creating more space for people, events and hospitality can be part of that.

‘But pedestrianisation on its own is not a regeneration strategy. The real test for the mayor is whether this makes the whole West End work better, rather than simply moving buses, taxis, congestion and disruption onto the streets around it.

‘So rather than trying to refight yesterday’s argument, I want City Hall to make this work and be fully transparent: closely monitor the impact on surrounding streets, respond quickly where problems emerge, and work with businesses, residents and Westminster to get the permanent scheme right.’

Some tourists and Londoners backed the pedestrianisation.

Patrizia Falcone, from Sicily, told : ‘I think it’s a nice idea to have a plaza where people don’t have to worry about traffic. Maybe there can be more cafes with tables outside. To me it’s good.’

A street vendor said: ‘If it’s just pedestrians, people may hang around more, so that would help me. Like an outdoor market vibe.’

TfL is working on the road signage changes and safety measures needed for the pedestrian zone.

The Mayor said of the plans: ‘I’m delighted that on October 26, the transformation of the nation’s high street into a pedestrian plaza will begin in earnest – a world-class space where flagship retail will sit alongside next-generation workplaces, designed to host exciting retail and leisure experiences from sport to fashion and cultural events in the future.

‘Following strong support from Londoners and businesses, I’m excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street really coming to life next month as we start going traffic-free, just in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.’

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