Mayor hails trial banning traffic from Oxford Street ‘the day the fight back began’

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said the one-day trial banning traffic from a half-mile stretch of Oxford Street, between noon and 8pm on Sunday 21 September, was "the day the fight back began to rescue the street".

Khan wants to ban vehicles from a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road. However, concerns have been raised regarding causing traffic congestion on smaller side streets and its effect on residents.

Speaking to the PA Media news agency, the Mayor said Oxford Street had been “in decline for some time” as an increasing number of people shop online or visit out-of-town shopping centres.

As such, a number of high-profile stores have left Oxford Street and, though Ikea opened a new store at 214 - once famously occupied by Topshop - in May, there has been a raft of other retailers looking to get out.

In January, the owners of Park House, which is home to Pandora, Swarovski, Bershka, Urban Outfitters and the flagship River Island store, said the retailers want to exit their lease "at the earliest opportunity".

Microsoft also closed its 21,000 sq ft Oxford Street flagship earlier this year, to focus on “digital growth”, after a six-year tenure.

Khan said Sunday’s pedestrianisation trial was "a glimpse to what the future could be like. He claims that making the famous shopping street traffic free “increases footfall and increases spend”, as well as providing more opportunity for outdoor events.

Earlier this month, Khan said: "As Mayor, I’m determined to unlock Oxford Street’s true potential and deliver a world-class, accessible, clean, avenue."

However, with knife crime in the capital soaring, and limited resources to increase police presence, it remains to be seen how safe a place Oxford Street will be should the plans to permanently make it a traffic-free zone go ahead.

Following support from the London Assembly in July 2025, the Mayor is working with the Government to make the necessary legislation for the MDC to be established by 1 January 2026.