London’s Oxford Street will be closed to traffic this Sunday, offering a glimpse of what it could permanently look like in the future.
The ‘This Is Oxford Street’ event is the latest step in the Mayor of London’s plans to pedestrianise a portion of the nation’s most popular shopping area.
Sadiq Khan first proposed the plans last year, saying it will improve visitor experience, boost retail and drive growth for London and the wider economy.
If this week’s trial day goes well, Sir Sadiq is aiming to start work to pedestrianise the street – which attracts more than half a million people every day – permanently from January 2026.
Here is what you need to know.
When will Oxford Street be closed to traffic?
A portion of the street between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus will be closed to traffic from 12pm to 8pm on Sunday 21 September.
The closure includes buses and taxis, meaning buses will take alternative routes from 9pm on Saturday 20 September to 4am on Monday 22 September.
Transport For London (TfL) has warned that the following stations will be busier than usual due to the closure:
• Oxford Circus
• Bond Street
• Tottenham Court Road
• Marble Arch
People riding bikes or e-scooters will also be asked to walk in the pedestrianised zone.
Along the half a mile stretch of closed road, Sir Sadiq said there will be three stages for musical acts and performances, art installations, an exhibition on the history of Oxford Street and food and drink from around the world.
Well-known retailers including Schuh, Topshop, John Lewis and The Body Shop will each host interactive activities on the day, as well as a wellness area, hosted by Holland and Barrett.
Activities for children such as a literary festival, poetry and storytelling, face painting, games and competitions will also be on offer.
“This is Oxford Street is going to be a landmark, free event open for everyone and will showcase the nation’s high street as you have never seen it before, offering a glimpse of what it could look like in the future,” the mayor said when announcing the one-day event.
What is the long-term plan?
The mayor’s long-term goal for Oxford Street is for all vehicles to be banned between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with further potential changes towards Tottenham Court Road.
It would extend on current restrictions which limits vehicles – apart from buses and taxis – from travelling down parts of Oxford Street from 7am to 7pm, except on Sundays.
TfL says any plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street permanently would consider:
• The relocation of some bus stops and stands;
• The impact of restrictions on taxis and private hire vehicles;
• Ensure businesses on the street have arrangements in place to make or take deliveries.
In June this year, former deputy prime minister and housing secretary Angela Rayner backed the plans. The proposal also has the support of Ikea, Selfridges, John Lewis and the London Chamber of Commerce.
This support is necessary for Sir Sadiq to create a mayoral development corporation, or MDC, a statutory body set up by metro mayors in England to deliver regeneration schemes.
For the MDC to be established by early next year, the London Assembly will have to approve Sir Sadiq’s proposal.
The mayor proposed similar plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street in 2018, but it was thwarted by the then-Conservative majority Westminster City Council.
This time around, the council published a report on 9 September, setting out the intention to hand over control of the road to the Greater London Authority (GLA) via TfL.
How do locals feel about the plan?
As part of a public consultation from February to May, 66% of people backed the pedestrianisation plans, Sir Sadiq’s office said.
Separate research from YouGov from September last year suggested 63% of Londoners were in favour of the proposal – rising to 72% among those who had specifically visited the area within 12 months.
When asked if they support designating an MDA, 69% of respondents supported the plan.
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Has this happened anywhere else in the UK?
In 1967, London Street in Norwich became the first shopping street in the UK to be pedestrianised.
According to the latest data by Norwich City Council, the move made the city more accessible for walking and cycling, with footfall increasing by 2.2%.
Buchanan Street in Glasgow was also pedestrianised in the late 1970s.
More recently, 2024 research published by the Living Streets charity showed that weekend pedestrianisation of the busiest streets in Shrewsbury led to 25% more sales in shops and local businesses.
During the COVID pandemic, Norwich’s High Street, The Square and Shoplatch were closed to traffic every day from 10am to 4pm for a three-month trial.
After social distancing restrictions were lifted, the restrictions were continued and made semi-permanent in early 2023.
