Oxford Street Closes to Traffic as Mayor Khan Launches Pedestrian Zone

London Mayor Sadiq Khan declared Monday a momentous day as nearly a kilometer of Oxford Street officially closed to all motorized traffic. The change removes buses, bikes, taxis, e-scooters, and private cars from the section of the street running from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch.

The pedestrian zone is now live in time for the Christmas shopping period. Khan described the move as a proof of concept, stating that investing in people rather than traffic leads to better footfall and spend. He noted that the street had seen a decline over the last couple of decades and that the new layout would improve the overall experience.

Shoppers expressed enthusiasm for the extra space. Daniel Te, a former city planner who moved to London from the US in July, sketched the scene on his sketchpad. Te said the street is entirely new and that he is now more inclined to visit because there is more space to walk around. He called the pedestrianization a big achievement and suggested neighboring streets should follow suit.

Business owners and transport officials anticipate the changes. Abbas Shigival, who runs a souvenir kiosk at the start of the zone, said the morning was busier than usual and the environment felt more pleasant. Claire Mann, chief operating officer at Transport for London, said there would still be plenty of capacity for passengers on the diverted bus routes. She noted that Bond Street and the Elizabeth Line offer alternative ways to arrive.

Not all workers welcomed the closure. Ben McMullan, a taxi driver, said traffic was definitely worse on surrounding streets and accessibility was a huge problem. He reported dropping off customers who struggled with no direct car access, including a woman with walking difficulties. McMullan feared the change would hurt his business once people realize they cannot get to their destinations easily.

Cyclists also faced restrictions. Jack, a construction worker whose name has been changed, was stopped by security guards while cycling down the street. He said he would ride down the road whether they like it or not, noting that an alternative route would make his commute longer. Jack disagreed with the pedestrianization on principle, arguing that it makes it harder for people to have vehicles.