Sadiq Khan confirms when cars will be banned from Oxford Street amid pedestrianisation plans

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced that the world-famous Oxford Street will be pedestrianised from next month.

Between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, Oxford Street will be traffic-free from Monday, October 26, 2026.

Preparation works are already underway in the Oxford Street, Regent Street, Bond Street and Great Portland Street areas, as the district is being regenerated.

Road changes will be made in the area, including temporary and permanent road closures, road restrictions, diversions and parking and loading arrangements.

Confirming the move on Twitter, London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said Oxford Street would be transformed into a "world-class pedestrianised space".

He added that pedestrianising Oxford Street would stimulate growth in the area, despite Westminster Council pushing back against the proposals.

Lord Khan noted that there had been a decline in high streets across the UK, as evolving shopping habits see people buy online more than in-store.

He added: "I've tried for some time to try and reinvigorate, reenergise, Oxford Street. One way we could do so is by pedestrianising Oxford Street.

"The council's been against me in relation to that, so I've worked with the Government," he told Politico.

Two consultations have been launched to hear opinions from locals, with results showing that around 70 per cent were in favour of pedestrianising Oxford Street.

As part of the pedestrianisation process, some changes have already been made, including new road markings on Binney Street and Weighhouse Street.

Other works will focus on changes to traffic and access arrangements on surrounding streets, including two-way traffic routes and permanent closures of some roads.

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Changes will also be made to parking, taxi ranks and Blue Badge bays, while new bus stands will be installed and traffic signals will receive updates.

Transport for London outlined that work will take place overnight and be coordinated with other works in the area to minimise disruption.

All vehicles, including cars, taxis and buses, will be banned, in addition to bicycles, with bus services being diverted on other roads.

Councillor Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said residents still have a "long list of unanswered questions about how it will work".

He added: "If this is going to be the 'greener, better and more prosperous' success that the Mayor has promised, then issues around access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety, need answers urgently.

"Right now there's a danger that we will have all of the downsides and too little upside. Traffic will be pushed to the small streets nearby causing economic and environmental harm."

Transport for London will continue to provide updates on the dates and locations of changes to Oxford Street on its website.