London Mayor Sadiq Khan has unveiled plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, arguably the UK’s most famous shopping street, in a bid to cut traffic and improve air quality in the capital.
The proposal, which is part of Khan’s wider plan to reduce vehicle emissions and tackle air pollution in London, would see all traffic banned from the two-mile stretch of Oxford Street between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch by the end of 2018.
This move comes after years of campaigning by environmental groups and residents who have long argued that the high levels of traffic on Oxford Street have led to dangerously high levels of air pollution and have made the area unpleasant for pedestrians.
Khan’s plans have been met with mixed reactions, with some welcoming the move as a positive step towards a cleaner and greener London, while others have raised concerns about the impact on businesses and delivery services in the area.
Supporters of the pedestrianisation plan argue that it will make Oxford Street a more attractive and welcoming place for shoppers and tourists, as well as improving air quality and reducing the risk of accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists.
However, critics have raised concerns about the potential impact on businesses in the area, many of which rely on deliveries and access for customers who drive to the shops. There are also fears that the traffic congestion caused by the ban could simply be shifted to surrounding streets, leading to further pollution and congestion in other parts of the city.
Despite these concerns, Khan has said that he is committed to making Oxford Street a safer and more pleasant place for pedestrians and cyclists, and believes that pedestrianisation is the best way to achieve this goal.
If the plans go ahead, Oxford Street will join a growing number of major cities around the world that have successfully pedestrianised their main shopping streets, including New York’s Times Square and Barcelona’s La Rambla.
While the future of Oxford Street remains uncertain, one thing is clear – the debate over its pedestrianisation is likely to continue for some time to come.