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London’s Oxford Street will be fully pedestrianised as part of a strategy to transform it into “the leading retail destination in the world,” says mayor Sadiq Khan.
The famed high street welcomes more than 500,000 visitors every day and generates around 5% of the capital city’s economic output. Pedestrianisation will increase visitor numbers and local jobs at a time when competition from e-commerce and out-of-town shopping centres is ramping up, the city says.
Previous attempts to shut Oxford Street off from cars and buses were blocked by authorities, though the new Labour government is on board with the project, the city said in a statement, adding that it’ll work with retailers and other businesses to make the area “greener, cleaner and safer.”
The plans are expected to boost economic activity and tax revenue, along with London’s “night-time economy”.
“Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain’s retail sector, but there’s no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade,” Khan said. “Urgent action is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life.”
Barbara Stoll, director of the Clean Cities Campaign, said this is “a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost the West End’s economy while tackling London’s air quality crisis.”
“Cities worldwide have shown that pedestrianisation increases foot traffic, boosts sales, and reduces retail vacancies — benefiting both local businesses and residents,” Stoll said. “This move will reinvigorate central London and will reinforce the city’s role as a global leader in effectively tackling climate change whilst making urban life better for everyone.”
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, said the French capital has “seen firsthand” how transforming its streets into pedestrian-friendly areas has “revitalised the city”, reduced pollution and enhanced the quality of life.
Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni, said: “Barcelona stands with London in its bold efforts to reimagine its urban spaces. Like our own transformation of Las Ramblas, this project will enrich the city’s cultural life, create a more comfortable and friendly space for pedestrians, and inspire cities around the world to follow suit.”
Peter Ruis, executive director at John Lewis, which has a flagship store on Oxford Street, said: “We’re delighted to see the plans announced today to transform ‘the nation’s high street’ and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to London’s West End.”
Studies have shown that the creation of low-traffic neighbourhoods in London has yielded substantial returns for local communities. In many cases, the health economic benefits exceed 100 times the costs involved.
