Oxford Street Opens First Traffic Free Pedestrian Section

Oxford Street’s first traffic-free section opened on October 26, closing almost a kilometre of the central London shopping street to general traffic as part of a phased pedestrianisation plan. The section runs from Orchard Street, near Selfridges, to Great Portland Street, just east of Oxford Circus. Barriers were raised at 8 p.m. on Sunday, October 25, and the final buses and taxis left before the restriction took effect. The immediate change is the removal of through traffic; the road surface has not yet been redesigned. Buses have been diverted onto surrounding streets, with replacement stops on routes including Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place. Transport for London said the changes affect stops by up to 200 metres for some passengers. Emergency vehicles and deliveries remain exceptions, while businesses will receive goods during designated hours. Bicycles, scooters, taxis and private hire vehicles are also barred from the pedestrianised stretch. The closure is an initial stage, not the finished public space. TfL plans to install about 50 trees and more than 100 seats by spring 2027. Road resurfacing is expected to start in 2027 after final plans are...