Oxford Street Update

Transforming and revitalising Oxford Street has been hot topic over recent years. This month, the Mayor of London announced new Government-backed plans to transform and pedestrianise the street, differing from Westminster City Council’s existing scheme for which consultation recently took place. Here is what we know so far: 

What has happened to date? 

There have been several schemes over the years aiming to improve Oxford Street. Most recently Westminster City Council has been working on a scheme, committing £90m of which half was to be paid for by Oxford Street landowners. This scheme also involved changes to surrounding streets including widening pavements, adding greenery and respite spaces, improving crossings, and upgrading street lighting. Consultation took place last year and initial works to amend traffic flows began in March with main works due to commence next year. 

What has the Mayor announced? 

Earlier this month, The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced an ambition to transform Oxford Street in new plans backed by the Government. This proposal would see full pedestrianisation of the street with plans delivered through the designation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), enabling designated planning powers to provide the framework for delivery of the scheme. We understand that the creation of a Mayoral Development Corporation may take some time. The aim is to increase visitor numbers, create new jobs and boost growth in London through transforming the street into a traffic-free public space.  

You can read a statement from Westminster City Council on these proposals here and read the announcement from the Mayor of London here.  

What is the view of BakerStreetQ? 

We remain strongly supportive of improvement on Oxford Street as a key gateway to the Quarter from the south and hope this can happen as swiftly as possible.  

We will continue to advocate, as we have with all previous iterations of the Oxford Street scheme, for reassurances that any scheme will not significantly increase traffic volumes, in particular buses and taxis, on the key gateway streets between Oxford Street and the Quarter, including Orchard Street, Portman Street, Wigmore Street, Portman Square and James Street. The ongoing long-term management of an improved Oxford Street will also be vital. 

We will keep you updated on Oxford Street developments as we hear them, via our newsletter. If you have any questions or concerns about the proposals that you would like to highlight with us, please do get in touch at [email protected]