A 0.9-kilometre stretch of Oxford Street becomes traffic-free from Monday 26 October, as London begins the first phase of pedestrianising its busiest shopping street. The section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, including Oxford Circus, is closed to cars, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, pedicabs, e-bikes and e-scooters.

North-south roads still cross the street, and emergency vehicles plus some servicing and cleaning vehicles keep access at set times. Buses that used the stretch are diverted onto surrounding streets, with new stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place; route 98 journeys could take up to five minutes longer at peak times.

A temporary test before permanent redesign

The first phase is deliberately temporary, so Transport for London and the Oxford Street Development Corporation can gather data and feedback from shoppers, businesses, workers, residents and accessibility groups before permanent changes are designed. More than 50 trees, over 100 seats and dining tables, and two new public squares are planned by the end of spring 2027.

Mayor Sadiq Khan, who announced the date on 28 September, said the scheme begins the real transformation of the nation's high street and will create a new public space for retail, leisure and cultural events ahead of the Christmas shopping period. Westminster City Council has raised concerns about traffic displaced onto smaller surrounding streets, and about air quality, noise and access.