Half of Oxford Street becomes traffic-free in 1.2-mile pedestrian zone

Approximately half of Oxford Street, a 1.2-mile stretch from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch, is now closed to all vehicular traffic. The temporary pedestrian zone took effect on Monday morning, removing cars, buses, bicycles, e-scooters, and pedicabs from the roadway to accommodate the upcoming Christmas shopping period.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan described the opening as a momentous day for the capital. The closure is the first phase of a larger £150 million project that will introduce trees, seating, and level plazas. Construction for those permanent improvements is scheduled to begin in spring 2027.

The immediate change has redirected London’s double-decker buses onto neighboring roads. Claire Mann, the chief operating officer at Transport for London, stated that passenger capacity remains sufficient and reliability should not be affected. She noted that riders could also use Bond Street or the Elizabeth Line as alternative routes to the area.

Shoppers interviewed at the scene expressed approval of the new layout. Daniel Te, who moved to London from the United States in July, said the extra space makes the street more inviting than its previous crowded state. Te, a former city planner, described the pedestrianization as a major achievement and said the rerouting of buses was a small price to pay for the improved walking experience.

Raquel Cox, visiting from Ireland, confirmed that the change offers a better experience for shoppers. She acknowledged that surrounding streets would likely face increased congestion but viewed the trade-off positively for those browsing the stores.

Local business owners reported mixed early signals. Abbas Shigival, who operates a souvenir kiosk at the start of the pedestrian zone, said the morning was slightly busier than usual. He noted that the environment felt more pleasant, with customers appearing happier as they walked the street. He said it would take time to determine the long-term financial impact on his sales.

Not all road users welcomed the change. Ben McMullan, a taxi driver, reported that traffic on adjacent streets had worsened and accessibility had become a significant issue. He cited specific instances where customers with prams or walking difficulties struggled to reach their destinations without direct car access. McMullan predicted that the lack of direct vehicle access could reduce demand for his services.

Cyclists also faced challenges as the new rules took hold. Jack, a construction worker cycling home from a job, was stopped by security guards during the day. He stated that the closure forced a longer commute and that he would continue to ride the street despite the restrictions. He argued that the pedestrian zone made it harder for people to use vehicles in the area.

Khan, who began his career in retail on Oxford Street, framed the project as a proof of concept. He said he wanted to demonstrate that investing in people rather than traffic leads to better footfall and spending. The city plans to monitor the first phase closely to ensure the changes work for all users before finalizing the permanent design.