Better experience? Shoppers praise Oxford Street pedestrianisation as views diverge
A busy first day
A wet Monday brought crowds to the newly pedestrianised stretch of Oxford Street. East of Oxford Circus, red buses turned at the final junction, while pedestrians filled the area.
Mayor Sadiq Khan called the change a “momentous day,” according to the article. The traffic restrictions cover about half of the 1.2-mile street, roughly between Oxford Circus station and Marble Arch; many double-decker buses will use nearby roads.
Visitors welcome more room
Daniel Te, who moved to London from the US in July, sketched the crowded scene. He said he usually avoided the street because it was too busy, but now felt more inclined to visit because there was more space to walk.
Raquel Cox, visiting from Ireland, came after seeing a news report about the change. She said she and her companions wanted to experience it for themselves. Abbas Shigival, who runs a souvenir kiosk, said the morning seemed busier than usual and described the setting as more pleasant.
Plans await public feedback
The traffic closure followed decades of discussion and took effect ahead of the Christmas shopping period. A larger £150m project, with trees, seating and level plazas for events, is expected to begin taking shape from spring 2027.
The permanent plans will depend on feedback and testing during the first phase. Khan said the city would monitor whether the changes worked for everyone and described the project as a test of whether prioritising people over traffic could improve footfall and spending.
Some raise access concerns
Taxi driver Ben McMullan said surrounding streets had become more congested and called accessibility a major problem. He worried that people who could not reach their destinations by taxi might avoid using cabs, harming his business.
Cyclist Jack, who was travelling home from a construction job, said security guards had stopped cyclists during the day. He said an alternative route would lengthen his commute and that he intended to keep cycling along the street.
Key points
- Almost a kilometre of Oxford Street is now closed to vehicles.
- Some visitors welcomed the added space and more pleasant surroundings.
- A £150m transformation is due to take shape from spring 2027.
- A taxi driver and a cyclist raised concerns about access and alternative routes.