Oxford Street pedestrianised as London mayor bypasses council

Key facts

• Oxford Street is now permanently traffic-free.
• The pedestrianisation was enacted by the Oxford Street Development Corporation.
• Westminster Council had previously opposed similar plans.
• Local residents fear traffic will be rerouted to adjacent streets.

Oxford Street in London has been permanently closed to traffic, marking a significant overhaul of the renowned shopping street. The pedestrianisation was enacted by the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), a mayoral body established to bypass previous opposition from Westminster Council. This move, which Khan had championed since 2016, faced criticism from local residents and councillors who expressed concerns about traffic displacement onto residential streets and the perceived disenfranchisement of local democratic processes. The OSDC, with a board appointed by the mayor, was created to circumvent the council's planning powers.