London mayor tests car-free Oxford Street for one day

London mayor Sadiq Khan on Sunday hosted a one-day trial that banned motor vehicles from a portion of Oxford Street, calling the event a milestone in a broader effort to free the iconic shopping corridor from traffic. The test closed a 0.7-mile (about 1.1 km) stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch from noon to 8 p.m. BST as part of the This is Oxford Street initiative, with officials signaling the potential for further changes toward Tottenham Court Road.

The public event provided pedestrians with an extended, vehicle-free space along a busy retail spine and drew shoppers, residents and business owners to experience a possible future form of the street. The plan hinges on government permission to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation that would grant planning powers and enable longer-term changes. Detailed proposals for pedestrianisation are expected to be consulted on later this year, the mayor said.

During the trial, the stretch from Oxford Circus to Orchard Street was closed to traffic from noon until 20:00 BST, and participants were encouraged to walk, shop and enjoy outdoor spaces as a demonstration of what the street could become. Sir Sadiq Khan argued the day offered a glimpse of a possible future where the area becomes a pedestrian-friendly destination that supports footfall, local businesses and outdoor events. He said the exercise marked the day the fight back began to rescue this street and to reclaim it as a public space.

Residents and shoppers weighed in with mixed views. Grace and Tom Brown, among those favoring a car-free Oxford Street, said the change could boost the area’s vitality. “I would have it like this all the time,” Grace said, while Tom added that a more walkable environment could attract people to linger, shop and socialize. Another passerby, Kish Sha, called the space a welcome improvement and suggested it could be kept permanently if transport services could adapt. “There’s so much razzmatazz. It makes sense to keep it permanently for the sheer number of people that come through here,” Sha said.

But concerns were voiced by others. Conservative Westminster councillor Tim Barnes warned that restricting traffic could damage local businesses and residents, pushing vehicles onto narrower side streets ill equipped to handle surges in traffic. The Soho Society has previously raised worries about accessibility for people with mobility issues or those carrying heavy shopping, and residents’ groups cautioned about potential congestion and the impact on deliveries and services.

The mayor acknowledged those concerns and stressed ongoing dialogue with residents, retailers and landowners. “We fully understand” the concerns about accessibility for some residents and said officials would work to minimize disruption while seeking to restore the street’s “previous glory.” Khan noted that the government’s approval would be required to create a Mayoral Development Corporation to deliver the changes, and he highlighted London’s broader strategy to expand pedestrianised spaces beyond Oxford Street, including areas outside Somerset House and seasonal al fresco dining programs.

Oxford Street remains one of the world’s busiest shopping districts, drawing roughly half a million visitors daily. A previous bid to pedestrianise part of the street in 2018 was blocked by Westminster City Council, then controlled by the Conservative Party. The latest proposal, if approved, would be implemented through new planning powers granted via the development corporation, a move Khan said could be in place by the start of next year.

As the city weighs the lessons from Sunday’s trial, officials said further consultations would shape the final plan, including how to balance the needs of hospitality and retail sectors with accessibility for residents and visitors. The mayor also cited ongoing collaborations with government partners to expand licensing powers and support for retail and dining zones during the summer months.

The event highlighted London’s interest in reimagining its busiest streets as public spaces that invite walking, social interaction and outdoor activity, while also underscoring the complexities of balancing commerce, mobility and safety. Whether Oxford Street becomes permanently car-free will depend on a combination of public input, business considerations and government authorization, with the next steps anticipated to unfold over the coming months.