Oxford Street Pedestrian Zone Opens: Shoppers Praise Space, Drivers Warn of Accessibility Gaps

Sadiq Khan declared Monday a “momentous day” as London opened approximately half of its most famous shopping street to pedestrians only. The temporary closure bans private cars, buses, bicycles, e-scooters, and pedicabs from a 1.2-mile stretch running from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch. This initial phase is designed to test the concept before the permanent transformation begins.

The change is intended to improve the shopping experience during the busy Christmas period by removing the congestion that previously characterized the street. Khan, who began his career in retail on Oxford Street, argued that the move prioritizes people over traffic. He stated that investing in the pedestrian environment would lead to better footfall and higher spending, describing the project as a proof of concept for the city.

Shoppers responded positively to the new open space. Daniel Te, a former city planner who moved to London from the United States in July, sketched the scene on his sketchpad. Te noted that he previously avoided the street due to its crowds, but the extra width now makes him more inclined to visit. He described the pedestrianized area as feeling similar to the scramble crossing at Oxford Circus, but extended across the entire street width.

Raquel Cox, visiting from Ireland, said she and her companion traveled to the area specifically to see the changes. While she acknowledged that surrounding streets might become busier, she viewed the change as an improvement for shoppers. Abbas Shigival, who operates a souvenir kiosk at the start of the zone, reported that the morning traffic was slightly higher than usual. He described the environment as more pleasant, noting that pedestrians appeared happier while browsing.

The closure is part of a larger £150 million project that will include trees, seating, and level plazas for events. That permanent phase is scheduled to start taking shape in spring 2027. For now, the street is lined with temporary bollards. Khan said the city would closely monitor the first phase to ensure the changes work for all users before committing to the long-term design.

Transport for London adjusted its bus routes to accommodate the closure. Many double-decker buses have been diverted into neighboring roads. Claire Mann, the chief operating officer at Transport for London, stated that capacity for passengers remains sufficient and that reliability should not be affected. She noted that riders could still access the area via Bond Street or the Elizabeth Line, while the agency monitors potential impacts on ridership.

Not all users supported the change. Ben McMullan, a taxi driver, reported that traffic on surrounding streets was worse and that accessibility had become a major issue. He said he had to drop off customers in areas where they struggled to reach their destinations without direct car access. McMullan feared the inconvenience would discourage passengers from using taxis, saying he could only get some customers part of the way.

Cyclists also faced friction. Jack, a construction worker who cycled down the street, was stopped by security guards. He said an alternative route would make his commute longer and that the change did not work for him. Jack compared the closure to low traffic neighborhoods, arguing that it made it harder for people to use vehicles on their chosen routes. The name has been changed.

The street remains open to pedestrians around the clock. The temporary bollards mark the boundary between the vehicle-free zone and the active traffic lanes. The city will use data from this period to refine plans for the permanent infrastructure.