Oxford Street vehicle ban begins ahead of Christmas shopping season

Cars, buses, taxis and bicycles will disappear from a one-kilometre section of Oxford Street starting tomorrow, October 26, as London begins the first phase of pedestrianising the famous shopping road. The vehicle-free zone runs from Orchard Street, where Selfridges is located, to Great Portland Street just east of Oxford Circus Underground Station, and includes Oxford Circus itself.

All cars except emergency services and delivery trucks operating between 7am and midnight will be banned, and all bus services will be re-routed around Oxford Street. E-bikes and e-scooters will also not be allowed through the new section, Transport for London has confirmed, while new cycleways are under development.

“Now with the pedestrianisation, I think for all retailers, there’s going to be lots and lots of opportunity to do more innovative things because I think it was just so difficult before, with issues around theft, traffic, and safety.”

Cars will still be able to cross Oxford Street at certain points, including Duke Street, Davies Street/Stratford Place, Holles Street, and New Bond Street/Vere Street. All junctions except Davies Street/Stratford Place will operate one-way.

The first phase was approved in February and is due to be completed by spring 2027. The project is described as the most radical change to the West End in decades and comes just before the busiest Christmas shopping period.

Retail experts say surrounding streets have drawn footfall away from Oxford Street in recent years. Peter Ruis told City AM that theft, traffic and safety issues previously made trading difficult, and that pedestrianisation creates new opportunities for innovative retail.

Nabeel Khan, chief executive of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, said the goal is to make the street more walkable, accessible and greener so people dwell longer and spend more. The corporation has three million square feet of commercial office space in its pipeline, with more expected over the next three to five years.