Marylebone Residents’ Association says banning vehicles from Oxford Street would be ‘dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic’.
Sadiq Khan wants to pedestrianise Oxford Street (Image: Getty)
Sadiq Khan‘s plan to pedestrianise London’s most famous high street has been described as “catastrophic” for surrounding neighbourhoods. The Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) revealed details of proposed changes for Oxford Street on Friday (November 21).
These include banning cars, buses, taxis, bicycles, pedicabs and scooters from a stretch of the route which is home to retail giants including Selfridges, John Lewis and M&S. Emergency services vehicles would still have access to the street. The proposals would allow existing routes to cross the newly pedestrianised section which would run between junctions with Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
Oxford Street forms the southern boundary of a part of central London represented by Marylebone Residents’ Association.
It criticised the pedestrian-only proposals as “dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic” for surrounding neighbourhoods. The Association said: “The scheme solves nothing and creates new risks on an unprecedented scale.
“Removing traffic removes natural surveillance, turning the street into an open stretch vulnerable to gangs, rough sleeping, illegal trading and street crime.”
LBC reports the Assocation as warning the changes would require increased policing as businesses already report “soaring” cases of shoplifting, assaults and anti-social behaviour.
The Association said older residents and disabled shoppers would face longer journey times as a result of the proposed changes to bus routes and curbs on taxis.
They warned this would make Oxford Street a “no-go zone” for these locals.
The mayor wants to ban cars, bicycles and scooters from a stretch of the busy high street (Image: Getty)
TfL said while buses and taxis would no longer be able to access Oxford Street directly between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, the proposals would “seek” to provide bus stops, taxi ranks and drop-off spots as close to the pedestrianised area as possible.
The Mayor of London said in a statement: “We need urgent action to give the nation’s high street a new lease of life and make it an attractive international destination once again.
“A reimagined Oxford Street can bring the world to London and showcase the best of London to the world, and I’m pleased that we’re now moving ahead with our exciting plans to regenerate this iconic area, backed by the vast majority of Londoners and businesses.
“These new proposals map out the potential next steps with Transport for London to make our vision of a thriving, greener Oxford Street a reality.”
Mr Khan encouraged everyone to have their say on the proposals, which he said would transform Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole country could be proud of.
Oxford Street is already off limits to general traffic between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday. A public consultation on the latest proposals is due to end on January 16.
