Oxford Street shuts out vehicles for holiday shopping season

Oxford Street is now free of traffic from Oxford Circus to Marble Arch.

The closure took effect on Monday, October 27, in time for the peak Christmas shopping period. The change removes buses, taxis, private cars, e-scooters, and pedicabs from approximately 1.2 miles of the street. London Mayor Sadiq Khan called the opening a momentous day for the capital.

The project has been under discussion for decades. It follows a temporary trial phase and precedes a major permanent rebuild. That rebuild will cost 150 million pounds and will include trees, seating, and level plazas. Construction on those permanent features is set to start in spring 2027. For now, temporary bollards and green banners mark the new pedestrian zone. The double-decker buses that previously used the corridor have been diverted to neighboring roads.

Shoppers and local businesses have offered mixed but largely positive initial reactions. Daniel Te, a former city planner who moved to London in July, said the extra space makes the street more inviting. He noted that he previously avoided the area because it was too busy. Raquel Cox, visiting from Ireland, said the change offers a better shopping experience despite potential congestion on side streets. Abbas Shigival, who runs a souvenir kiosk at the start of the zone, said the morning was slightly busier than usual and that the environment felt more pleasant.

Khan, who started his career in retail on Oxford Street, stated that the closure aims to prove that investing in people leads to better footfall and spend. He said the city would closely monitor the changes to ensure they work for everyone. Transport for London chief operating officer Claire Mann said there would still be plenty of capacity for passengers. She noted that the Elizabeth Line and Bond Street provide alternative arrival options.

Not all users of the street support the change. Ben McMullan, a taxi driver, said traffic on surrounding streets has worsened and accessibility has become a problem. He described dropping off customers with mobility issues who struggled to reach their destinations without direct car access. He fears the change will hurt his business. Jack, a cyclist, said he plans to ride down the street despite security guards stopping him. He argued that the lack of a direct route makes his commute longer and that the policy makes it harder for people to use vehicles.

The city will assess the first phase before finalizing the permanent design. Khan said the goal is to create a proof of concept for other streets. The immediate area remains busy with pedestrians, while the eastern end near Oxford Circus still sees heavy bus traffic.