Oxford Street in London Closes to Cars: What's Happening on the Main Shopping Street.

Oxford Street Will Become a Pedestrian Zone

According to The Sun: The busiest shopping street in the UK will close to cars a day before World Car Free Day.

Oxford Street, where half a million people shop daily, will test a car-free format this weekend.

Oxford Street in London will be a pedestrian zone from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sunday.

All vehicles will be prohibited from accessing between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street.

Buses will change routes from 9:00 PM on Saturday, September 20, to 4:00 AM on Monday, September 22.

This one-day closure is an experiment to demonstrate how a pedestrian zone can work.

Local businesses have prepared themed areas that will include fashion, sports, music, cuisine, and cultural traditions as part of a free public event on the street.

The pedestrian zone plans for Oxford Street were initiated by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, incorporating them into his 2016 election manifesto.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to see Oxford Street in a whole new light - car-free, with music, delicious food, pop-ups, and entertainment for all,” said London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Two out of three Londoners support the idea of a pedestrian zone on the UK's busiest retail street, which hosts around 500,000 people daily.

However, this idea was rejected by the Conservative Westminster Council in 2018 after protests from residents.

Local Business Against Innovations

Robin Smith, who runs Soho Dairy at Berwick Market, expressed his concerns:

“If Oxford Street closes access to Soho, you will have to drive through Shaftesbury Avenue, which will lead to congestion. People live here too. They need buses and transport to get home, and this will hinder them. This is part of a bigger plan for Soho to become an outdoor zone where all streets are closed. It’s not a good plan. If this happens, we will suffer.”

There is a possibility that the implementation of the plan is again in question if certain stages are not completed before the local elections next summer.

If the project is realized, vehicles will not have access between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with possible changes on Tottenham Court Road.

According to the city administration, implementing the project will cost about 150 million pounds, with some funds coming from private investors and local businesses.

“The plans to revive Oxford Street are a bold and exciting step towards renewing London’s West End, improving the area, increasing footfall for local businesses, and enhancing the city's international reputation,” said Karim Fatehi, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce.

“We welcome the commitment to work with local businesses and residents to tackle logistical challenges and ensure economic benefits for all.”

Overall, transforming Oxford Street into a pedestrian zone could be an essential step towards improving the urban environment and supporting local business. However, implementing the plan requires considering residents' opinions and ensuring convenient transport services in the area.