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Plans to ban automobiles on one of London’s busiest streets is set to press forward after a trial was branded a big success by officers. Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to “move forward with bold proposals” to pedestrianise London’s Oxford Street, with petrol, diesel and electric autos set to be utterly banned. 

Mr Kahn gained the help of the London Assembly back in July with plans to press forward with pedestrianisation plans within the coming months. The street may very well be utterly cut off to autos from January 2026, prioritising pedestrians and consumers in a single of the capital’s hottest vacationer locations. Mr Khan held a check occasion on Sunday, September 21, with a 0.7-mile stretch of street closed to autos for simply someday. 

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London instructed the Daily Express that Oxford Street was “transformed” within the traffic-free occasion earlier this month. Officials stress the occasion gave Londoners and guests to the capital a “glimpse” of what a pedestrianised road may appear to be sooner or later with out autos. 

The spokesperson added: “Hosted by the Mayor, the free and exciting one-day only event was attended by thousands, with footfall up 45% on Sunday compared with the previous week.

“We worked closely with Westminster City Council and partners on the development of the event, as well as Transport for London, to ensure that those travelling to the event and around London were able to plan their journey in advance and use a number of Tube lines, the Elizabeth line and local bus services.

“TfL data showed the event had minimal impact on traffic, with no traffic queuing and no noticeable inconvenience to road users.”

More importantly, information reveals that footfall loved a 45% uplift in comparison with the Sunday the week earlier than or 38% in comparison with a typical Sunday in 2024. Officials confirmed there have been no different reside site visitors incidents between Oxford Street and Notting Hill during the trial. 

Earlier this yr, a session revealed that pedestrianisation may very well be supported, with the plan impressing locals. The report confirmed that round seven in 10 respondents back plans to regenerate Oxford Street, with two-thirds supporting the thought of pedestrianisation.

A Mayor of London spokesperson added: “The GLA remains in frequent communication with Westminster City Council with regards to the Mayor’s proposals to pedestrianise the road and unlock Oxford Street’s true potential to deliver a world-class, accessible, clean street for everyone, as we continue to build a better London for everyone.”