Oxford Street goes permanently traffic-free after two decades of planning

London's busiest shopping thoroughfare closes nearly 1km of road to vehicles in bid to boost economic revival

By LineZotpaper AI staff

Published26 October 2026

Updated26 October 2026

Read Time2 min

Sources2 outlets

A nearly 1km section of London's Oxford Street, Britain's busiest shopping thoroughfare, has gone permanently traffic-free as part of a long-awaited plan to revitalise the area and boost economic growth.

The section between the Selfridges and IKEA stores is now closed to buses, cars, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs, the office of London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced today. The move, more than two decades in the making, is the first stage of a wider regeneration project aimed at restoring Oxford Street's status among top global shopping destinations such as New York's Times Square, Paris' Champs-Élysées and Barcelona's La Rambla.

"After so many false dawns, and now working with a government who share the scale of my ambition, I'm proud that we're finally unlocking a new era for the street," Khan said. "Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital."

Oxford Street, connected to Bond Street and Regent Street and home to John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tiffany & Co and others, has struggled since the Covid pandemic, with the arrival of US candy stores putting off many shoppers, Khan said. The area had been neglected, he noted, with many flagship stores including House of Fraser and Topshop having shut in recent years. The street attracts around half a million visitors daily according to the mayor's office.

Minimal construction will take place during the run-up to Christmas, a busy shopping period. Plans for 2027 include more than 50 new trees, 100 new seats, two public squares, rest areas and better signage and lighting.

British housing, communities and local government minister Angela Rayner said: "This marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street, creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of our capital."

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Analysis

Why This Matters

The pedestrianisation affects millions of visitors and commuters who rely on Oxford Street as a transport and shopping hub.
It represents a major shift in urban planning for one of the world's best-known retail districts, with potential to reshape local business and tourism.
The success or failure of the project could influence similar traffic-free initiatives in other major cities.

Background

Oxford Street has been London's premier shopping destination for decades but has faced decline since the Covid pandemic, with rising vacancies and the proliferation of US candy stores. Calls for pedestrianisation date back more than two decades, with previous attempts stalling due to political and logistical hurdles. The current project is part of a broader regeneration effort by Mayor Sadiq Khan, working with the UK government.

Key Perspectives

Sadiq Khan: says the move unlocks a new era for the street after years of false starts, boosting jobs and economic growth in the capital. Angela Rayner: welcomes the change as creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of London.

What to Watch

Whether the planned 2027 upgrades (new trees, seats, public squares) are delivered on schedule.
How local businesses, including major retailers such as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, respond in terms of footfall and sales.
Potential knock-on effects on traffic and public transport routes around the closed section.

Sources

Oxford Street goes traffic-free as Sadiq Khan launches pedestrianisation · City AM
London's Oxford Street goes traffic-free · RTÉ News

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 8 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedOxford Street has gone permanently traffic-free.RTÉ News: “Part of London's Oxford Street, Britain's busiest shopping thoroughfare, went permanently traffic-free today”
Partly supportedOxford Street is London's busiest shopping thoroughfare.RTÉ News: “Britain's busiest shopping thoroughfare”
SupportedAn almost 1km section has closed as part of an effort to revitalise the area and boost economic growth.RTÉ News: “Part of London's Oxford Street, Britain's busiest shopping thoroughfare, went permanently traffic-free today in an effort to revitalise the area and create a new public space to boost economic growth. An almost 1km section”
Reports differThe closed section runs between the Selfridges and IKEA stores.RTÉ News: “An almost 1km section of Oxford Street between the Selfridges and IKEA stores”
SupportedThe move has been more than two decades in the making.RTÉ News: “The move has been more than two decades in the making.”
SupportedThe section is closed to buses, cars, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs.RTÉ News: “is now closed to buses, cars, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs”
SupportedKhan said, “After so many false dawns, and now working with a government who share the scale of my ambition, I'm proud that we're finally unlocking a new era for the street.”RTÉ News: ““After so many false dawns, and now working with a government who share the scale of my ambition, I'm proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street,” Khan said.”
SupportedKhan said, “Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital.”RTÉ News: ““Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital.””
SupportedRayner said, “This marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street, creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of our capital.”RTÉ News: ““This marks an exciting new chapter for Oxford Street, creating a greener, more vibrant place that will attract visitors and investment, support businesses and jobs, and drive growth in the heart of our capital,” British housing, communities and local government minister Angela Rayner said.”
Partly supportedKhan said US candy stores were putting off many shoppers.RTÉ News: “Oxford Street, connected to Bond Street and Regent Street and home to John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tiffany & Co and many others, has struggled since the Covid pandemic, with the arrival of US candy stores putting off many shoppers.”
SupportedAccording to the mayor's office, Oxford Street attracts around half a million visitors daily.RTÉ News: “Oxford Street attracts around half a million visitors every day, according to the mayor's office”
Reports differPlans for 2027 include 100 new seats.RTÉ News: “Plans for 2027 include more than 50 new trees, 100 new seats, two public squares, rest areas and better signage and lighting.”