Pedestrianised Oxford Street 'is like Times Square' says London mayor

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page The Mayor of London hopes the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will put it on a par with New York’s Times Square and Barcelona’s La Rambla. A half-mile section of the iconic shopping street is closed to traffic from today. Dozens of construction workers in high-vis gear could be seen setting up road blocks when Metro visited this morning. The stretch from Orchard Street and Great Portland Street will now be traffic-free – even bikes will be banned. ‘There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades,’ Sadiq Khan said. ‘After so many false dawns, and now working with a government that shares the scale of my ambition, I’m proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street.’ But the transformation has been criticised by some groups who fear the closure may increase traffic jams in surrounding streets. Sadiq Khan pictured on Oxford Street today (Picture: AP Photo/Alastair Grant) Meanwhile, the banning of buses and taxis from using the street has also raised concerns over newly limited transport options for shoppers and commuters in a key part of central London. However, Khan, who was on the street today to mark the historic closure, insisted the move will help to regenerate the street and put it on an equal footing with other great shopping streets including the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The mayor said: ‘I’m hugely excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street coming to life from today. It is a truly momentous occasion for the capital. ‘I encourage everyone to explore and enjoy the newly traffic-free street, as we create a new vibrant destination that welcomes Londoners and visitors from around the world.’ The pedestrianised section will eventually be turned into a piazza with outdoor tables at restaurants and cafes. The changes have already come into effect (Picture: William Lailey / SWNS) Oxford Street before the pedestrianisation (Picture: Carl Court/Getty Images) ‘For centuries, Oxford Street has reinvented itself, adapting to changing times and helping shape British culture along the way,’ Khan added. ‘The transformation will turn the nation’s high street into a world-class pedestrian space, where flagship retailers will sit alongside new shops and workplaces – and we’ll bring exciting new experiences to the street, from sport to fashion and cultural events. ‘Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital, unlock the full potential of this key part of the West End, and help build a better, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.’ Which bus routes are affected by the pedestrianisation? According to plans published by TfL, bus routes will be amended for the pedestrianisation and will use new bus stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place, and Cavendish Place. Bus routes 7, 94, 98, 139, 390, N7, N98, N113, N137, and N207 will all be redirected down Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place at the rear of John Lewis. Buses will then rejoin Oxford Street at Great Titchfield Street on the other side of Oxford Circus, with the exception of bus route 139, which will continue its route on Regent Street. Passengers will need to walk an additional distance of 100 to 200 metres to the new bus stops, and staff will be deployed near bus stops and on Oxford Street to help people. You can read more about the plans here. The mayor told Metro he had worked on Oxford Street as a young man, including stints at the department store Debenhams and shoe shop Barratts. He said: ‘I spent a lot of time here as a teenager shopping. I worked at Debenhams, Barratts shoes, Peter Jones, and John Lewis as well. ‘It’s so important we support these shops and jobs.’ John Lewis – whose flagship store falls within the newly pedestrianised zone – is among the businesses that have backed the move, which they hope will boost business and give tourists and Londoners an improved shopping experience. Chief Operating Officer Naomi Simcock said: ‘Having served Oxford Street for over 160 years, we’ve seen plenty of change, and the move to make the area more pedestrian-friendly is one of the most exciting. ‘Retailers need to step up too, which is why we’ve invested millions in refurbishing our flagship store. With our new 300-seat restaurant, sports department, and festive plans, we’re working closely with the Mayor’s Office to give people even more reasons to visit London’s most iconic high street.’ Not everyone is happy about the move, however. Cab driver Geoff, 57, who has been working the West End for more than 20 years, previously told Metro: ‘The centre of London has become a nightmare for drivers with constant road closures and what seems to be an effort by the mayor to penalise anyone on four wheels. The planned pedestrianisation will make things worse for everyone. ‘This is an own goal for tourism; it will just make their lives more difficult.’ A foreman on a redevelopment near Chapel Place, just off Oxford Street, added: ‘Getting vehicles in and out is going to be a massive pain. The traffic is already terrible; this will only make this worse. ‘Yes, tourists will have a nice stretch of road to hang out in. But as soon as they leave the pedestrian zone, it’s going to be bumper-to-bumper traffic and stress all the way.’