Drivers have been left furious over the proposed plans to turn Oxford Street into a traffic-free public space which would ban vehicles from entering the popular street.
The move hopes to make Oxford Street into “once again the leading retail destination in the world,” but has been met with mixed views.
Under the proposal, a 0.7-mile section of the road between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch would see traffic banned, with the potential for further expansion into Tottenham Court Road not being ruled out.
The busy area currently operates under strict rules for vehicles with buses, taxis, and bicycles only allowed from 7am to 7pm from Monday to Saturday, between Portman Street and Great Portland Street.
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There is a current ban on all cars between 7am to 7pm, except on Sundays
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As part of the plans launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, he intends to designate a Mayoral Development Area to push forward the regeneration of Oxford Street.
The area will be given planning powers to provide the framework for the delivery of the traffic scheme.
Karim Fatehi, CEO of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said: “London is a global tourist destination, with a diverse and vibrant retail scene which attracts around 30 million visitors every year.
“Oxford Street is the city’s most famous street and the busiest shopping destination in Europe. But over the last decade it has seen the closure of several iconic brands and an increase in low quality retail stores.”
He added: “We are supportive of the efforts being made by Westminster Council to reverse this trend, but we must now go further to ensure that the capital’s premier shopping street continues to flourish and brings back forward-looking brands and footfall that maintains our competitive lead on other cities.”
However, GB News took to the streets to gauge the sentiment towards the potential ban which would add extra restrictions on cars apart in Oxford Street from 7am to 7pm, except on Sundays.
One local cabbie asked GB News: “Where’s all the traffic going to go? Down Regent Street, isn’t it? It’s going to be a nightmare. We need to get rid of him [Sadiq Khan] anyway.”
Another Londoner said: “Traffic is bad as it is now, but you’re just going to create even more traffic. I thought he was meant to be environmentally friendly. This is not environmentally friendly, it’s just plain stupid.”
Commenting on the proposal, Khan said: “Oxford Street is the UK’s most famous shopping street. It deserves to be a world-class retail destination.
“These plans will pedestrianise and transform Oxford Street for Londoners and visitors. Urgent action is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life.
“I am excited to be working with the new Government, and local retailers and businesses, on these plans – that will help to restore this famous part of the capital to its former glory, while creating new jobs and economic prosperity for the capital and the country.”
Khan’s former mayoral election opponent Susan Hall from the City Hall Conservatives warned that Khan would “pedestrianise London if he could (allowing only his protection vehicles of course)”.
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Sadiq Khan will create a Mayoral Development Area as part of the process
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Taking to social media, one driver has been left outraged by the proposed ban: “This is OUTRAGEOUS and does not surprise me in the slightest.
“Sadiq Khan is doing this and everything else to COMPLETELY have a BAN on ALL cars, motorcycles, private mini cabs or he will then bring a DRIVING LAW that if you do wish to drive your car anywhere in London you will be CHARGED.”