The Mayor of London and Deputy Prime Minister have announced today a scheme that would see the Mayor takeover responsibility for the management of Oxford Street to deliver a transformation scheme focused on the pedestrianisation of the road.

The Mayor’s proposals promise new funding for Oxford Street which, if implemented, would end the requirement for the Council to fund the development of work on Oxford Street. It will be important to receive further details about what is planned, including how long it could take to be delivered and how the concerns of local residents and users of the street will be addressed. We will want to know how they will benefit from any proposals, particularly given the practical challenges pedestrianisation may have for the wider area. Our role will be to ensure that local voices are heard loud and clear. We will work with work constructively with the Mayor and the Government to ensure the best outcomes for local communities, businesses and London.

Over the last two years this Labour administration has worked hard to clear up the mess on Oxford Street we inherited from the local Conservatives who wasted £34 million and took almost a decade with little more to show for it than the disastrous £6 million Marble Arch Mound. We have led the transformation of the street from cracking down on candy shops, supporting new brands to take vacant space with the Meanwhile: On Oxford Street programme, flexing planning policy to welcome new uses such as the MOCA art museum and welcoming new and returning retail brands including HMV, Ikea, Miniso and Waterstones. Our work has received widespread praise and positive press coverage around the world.

We had created a transformative £90m public realm scheme for Oxford Street, half of which was due to be paid for by Oxford Street landowners. This scheme was ready to go. It had been co-produced by and received the strong support of the business community and local residents, our plans would have delivered improved public spaces, wider footways, improved seating, more trees and other planting, attractive lighting, clearer signage and reduced congestion across the area.

It offered these substantial benefits whilst keeping traffic away from residential areas while also maintaining the direct bus access to and along Oxford Street which is important to many shoppers and workers, including particularly the disabled, elderly, families and those on low incomes. Taxi ranks had been moved into side streets to reduce congestion but retain access for those with mobility issues.

Westminster’s contractors are already on site changing traffic flows around Oxford Street in preparation for the main works due to start in the spring and conclude by summer 2027, enabling other projects such as the ‘park to park’ transformation of Regent Street, Haymarket and Piccadilly Circus to move forwards.

Information about today’s scheme and announcement by the Mayor have emerged very recently as part of the new Government’s growth agenda. While it has only been shared with us in the last few days, there needs to be significant consultation where we will work hard to influence what comes next on behalf of local people.