Forum Topic

Traffic to be banned from Oxford St

"Traffic to be banned from London’s Oxford Street under Sadiq Khan plan Mayor to be given power to overrule Westminster council, which blocked previous plan amid concerns over rerouting buses.
Traffic will be banned from London’s Oxford Street under plans announced by the mayor, Sadiq Khan, using new powers from Labour to push through long-thwarted pedestrianisation of the capital’s famous shopping strip. Khan said urgent action was needed so that the mile-long street could “once again become the leading retail destination in the world.” The deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, is expected to sign off a proposed mayoral development area, giving greater powers to Khan as he revives the plans he first laid out in 2017." https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/sep/17/traffic-banned-london-oxford-street-sadiq-khan-westminster-council#:~:text=Traffic%20will%20be%20banned%20from,the%20capital's%20famous%20shopping%20strip. Now about that cycle lane on Kensington High Street .....

Paul Campbell ● 68d60 Comments

Eminently sensible given adequate provision is made for both deliveries and mobility impaired visitors. Can we just get on with it?

N V Brooks ● 66d

There is some detailed analysis and discussion about buses and other points in these articles from when pedestrianising Oxford Street was last raised in 2017.https://www.londonreconnections.com/2017/transforming-oxford-street-part-1-bustterfly-effect/https://www.londonreconnections.com/2018/transforming-oxford-street-part-2-real-regeneration/

Michael Robinson ● 66d

Excellent. We just need the forum's resident Nostradamus to agree with you and this is a dead cert to proceed.

Paul Campbell ● 66d

Back to the idea of pedestrianising Oxford Street.  I like the idea, I like it even more with a tram shuttling back and forth down Oxford Street.But I am sure this has been floated several times over the last 30 years and each time it has been canned due to the issue of it being the major east/west route for buses.  There are a few solutions floated every time - re-route the buses, but there is insufficient capacity on the other main east/west routes nearby, cut the number of services going east/west (never politically acceptable) and the best option of creating new bus garages at both ends of Oxford Street with routes that start there - only problem is that the cost of acquiring the land for the garages makes the whole scheme uneconomic by a huge amount.Of course the latest announcements from the Mayor of London fail to address the issues of the buses, my guess is this will go nowhere, just like the last time a similar idea was proposed

Justin Stephenson ● 66d

And the gnome falls out from under his stone totally disregarding previous debates about all the reasons why the tram never materialized. Only one set of transport planners, retained by Livingston, ever supported the concept of a tram on the Uxbridge Road. Those with an iotaof common sense soundly rejected it at first pass.

N V Brooks ● 66d

The Uxbridge Road tram scheme has been done to death and was canned because of the impracticality of the nine pinch points between Uxbridge and Shepherd's Bush where had there been a breakdown there was no room to construct a cross over to recover the broken down tram nor for any other traffic to pass. Equally, the idea of an express tram service along the A4 or the pie in the sky at monorail never left the drawing board.

N V Brooks ● 66d

You're no doubt right. These outfits have dozens of companies.Portman Settled Estates is owned by Seymour Street Nominees Ltd which is listed as a dormant company, but has 11 directors including The Earl Howe  and The Viscount Edward James Wingfield Hewitt Lifford (the Viscount has more names but they don't fit on the Companies House name box!) He seems to be the 9th Viscount Lifford, in the Irish peerage.

Guy Lambert ● 66d

That's interesting Guy but at odds with Wikipedia."The Estate is held in trust for the benefit of the wider family, with over 130 beneficiaries. The ancestral title is held by The Viscount Portman who leads the family's management of the Estate through the Estate Trustees and the management company, Portman Settled Estates Limited.[6]"

Adrian Irving ● 67d

There will always be a violent and vigorous backlash from a minority of shouty motorists against every single proposed scheme that reallocates space from motor vehicles to anything and everything else. And that is what happened with the tram proposal for the Uxbridge Road.Politicians should have learned this by now and also learned to just ignore it. Sadiq Khan has and he leads the way.  This move in conjunction with the Labour government should pave the way for similar moves to pedestrianise much of Soho and to reinstate the cycle lane on Kensington High Street.

Paul Campbell ● 67d

That’s an AMAZING idea.

Francis Sheehan ● 67d

Portman Estate seems to be owned by HSBC

Guy Lambert ● 67d

..and joined the rest of the developed world and had trams going up and down the main streets of its capital city.I remember the proposal to have a tram going the length of the Uxbridge Road - not difficult, nice and straight - but there was uproar from the local population so it never happened.

Peter Evans ● 67d

About time that London joined the rest of the developed world and pedestrianised its centre. Next Regent’s street and Soho.

Francis Sheehan ● 67d

Of course Khan has to work with Labour run Westminster council on this. Might be a bit tricky.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

That whining noise obviously comes from one Michael Robinson. Do try to think of an original line of insult, you simply Troy that one out when you lose an argument.If K&C council is so despised after Grenfell, why is it still Conservative controlled? Maybe you should move there and take your toxic ramblings elsewhere.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

What’s funny about that Lambert is that when the Conservatives won a huge majority in 2019, the third election in a row that Labour lost, you whined about it for five years.Of course, I don’t expect any sort of sensible response from you. Too busy ignoring the child benefit cap and winter fuel payment cuts your beloved Labour Party is insisting on. Just a Red Tory, eh?

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Define 'large'. A majority certainly but even with the really poor Conservative candidates, hardly a large majority.

N V Brooks ● 67d

Far from it. They close down at the first complaint only to reopen a day later with a new trading name.

N V Brooks ● 67d

The Portman EstateTo the west of Marylebone High Street, are the 110 acres of London land owned by the Portman Estate. With a history dating back to the 16th century, the Estate covers OXFORD STREET from Marble Arch to Orchard Street, from the Edgeware Road in the west to Baker Street in the east and north almost to Crawford Street. It includes Portman Square, Manchester Square and the residential properties located in Bryanston and Montagu Square.I think in the final analyst it's down to the freeholders who can take lease on their premises.

Adrian Irving ● 67d

Kahn is going in charge of the Met. Surely he should be co-ordinating with UK Borderforce check on the immigration status of those running the dodgy shops. Or is he just turning a blind eye to the problem and pretending all is OK so that the area will still attract gullible tourists?

Steve Taylor ● 67d

The Howard Dr Waldren Estate who own swathes of Marylebone have a grip on who can trade and who can't resulting in a quality shopping experience.

Adrian Irving ● 67d

No trams in the centre either. Horse drawn gigs, with a recent addition of poo catchers

Guy Lambert ● 67d

The sweet shops that charge unwary people £10 or £20 for a bar of chocolate.  I thought they had been sorted out.

Philippa Bond ● 67d

He has been elected by a large majority on 3 occasions so far. Apparently you don't like him. You are in a small minority.

Guy Lambert ● 67d

Khan has been an embarrassment as a mayor, but then London should not really be the fiefdom of one man and his cronies. It was no better under Johnson’s auspices. As you say, London is a complex city and the way it is currently governed isn’t really working for many.If khan took any responsibility for anything that went wrong he’d be out on his ear in no time. He is in charge of the Met. He is also responsible for the London Plan which controls…planning. I’m not talking about dodgy sweet shops either.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

I think Westminster Council had something of a crack down on the dodgy 'American' Sweet shops in Oxford Street.  I can't imagine anyone is happy to have them there, as they usually self-fold without paying tax or business rates or possibly rent, and then re-open in an different guise.I have to say, on the rare occasions I find myself in Oxford Street, I'm embarrassed to see so many tourists to our City being so blatantly ripped off.

Peter Evans ● 67d

You consistently blame Sadiq Khan for everything, always ignoring the complexity of these issues. The vehemence of your dislike is quite baffling.Specifically on the money laundering issue, this is something HMRC needs to deal with, the Mayor has no powers to tackle it and is not the planning authority for Oxford Street. The City of Westminster, which does determine planning applications, would love not to have to give permission because these shops persistently wind up before paying outstanding rates bills only to re-emerge under new ownership.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 67d

“ the benefits that it brings to us in economic terms are significant.”How do you know the benefits are significant if the shops are ‘dodgy’ ?  Are they declaring VAT on cash purposes or are they laundering money as has been suggested?  Perhaps Kahn should be doing his job by clamping down on crime in the area instead of worrying about taxis and buses using the road.

Steve Taylor ● 67d

I think you'll find that many people in Kensington are full of scorn for their council too.  Ever heard of Grenfell? RBKC really didn't come out well in the recent report.Anyway, I appear to be living rent-free in your head Simon.It is a very empty place, dusty, a bit smelly, not much evidence of anything going on at all except a continual whining noise.

Michael Robinson ● 67d

Good luck getting information from Grosvenor.As for the tourists, well Sadiq Khan is certainly more interested in turning London into a glorified Disneyworld than making it a properly functioning modern city. Apart from his woeful mismanagement of TfL (whose problems he always says aren’t his fault), he’s also responsible for the police (again, never his fault) and is the ultimate planning authority in the capital (pandering to dubious overseas money launderers rather than ensuring appropriate and affordable development, though again it’s not his fault). Watching him at MQTs is embarrassing, as he invariably turns hostile when put on the spot and never gives a straight answer.Pedestrianising Oxford Street, which I don’t doubt will improve the ambience there, isn’t going to be a magic bullet to revitalise the economy or make London’s streets safer for residents or visitors alike.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Outside the Punch and Judy culture wars of social media this has nothing to do with carbrain vs cyclebrain so no sensible person is blaming motorists for the problems that Oxford Street has. It remains London's main shopping street and, while it might be largely the preserve of tourists, the benefits that it brings to us in economic terms are significant. The issue here is that it is undeniably dysfunctional at the moment and something needs to be done. I don't believe the very wealthy flat dwellers in the surrounding streets should have a veto over the options for change.Times Square successfully transformed itself from crime ridden squalor to a vibrant and relatively safe area and part pedestrianisation was one of the changes made to achieve this. It is therefore not unreasonable to suggest that similar should be considered for Oxford Street.However, it may be that there are simpler and less disruptive measures that could be taken. I've already mentioned the candy shops. What I don't know is how complicit are organisations such as the Grosvenor Estate and the Crown Estates in enabling their presence. If they are the roots of the problem may lie in short term greed on behalf of the freeholders and a more effective way to revive Oxford Street may be greater controls on what shops can open there enforced by local by laws.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 67d

Despite the reduction of business rates on Oxford Street many businesses are still struggling and it’s not a great destination other than for tourists lured in by the area’s history.Ironic that it’s mainly buses and taxis on that road, plus delivery vehicles and the occasional refuse one. Can’t blame private motorists this time.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Boo goo. Big man, small mind. Your post was full of scorn for the people in Kensington. Perhaps you should re-read what you said and think again.Oh, and you are the one who came up with the ‘rules’ about commenting on schemes outside where you live. But then you probably don’t remember.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Cannot remember if there were coach stops or they stop at bus stops.

Janice Evans ● 67d

There used to be coaches that did a London run years ago.

Janice Evans ● 67d

You don't appear to be very good at reading as I said "I wouldn't expect anything to improve cycling on Kensington High St while the current Conservative council are in charge of RBKC." so I am being realistic.Given you can't comment about anything outside Ealing according to your own rules, Ealing should be congratulated for keeping Fishers Lane closed to motor traffic except buses.

Michael Robinson ● 67d

Coming from the biggest whinger on this forum that’s hilarious! Must be very boring at home for you Michael.You probably didn’t notice but most of the LTNs in Ealing were removed a few years back because they were massively unpopular. They also hugely increased traffic on surrounding roads, despite what eejits like you try to claim.Your rhetoric seems have deserted you now. Next time you comment on anything outside Houbskiw you might want to remember that it’s really nothing to do with you. Or does your logic get so twisted you fail to grasp that?

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Vienna was wise enough not to scrap its tram system. London foolishly thought that buses were a better option.

Richard Greenhough ● 67d

I have frequently visited Vienna where 30 or more years ago they pedestrianised the central shopping streets such as Kartnerstrasse, Graben and Stefanplatz. Wide, elegant streets with pavement cafes bars and restaurants, luxury shops, green areas, entertainment venues.Many years ago I shopped in Oxford Street but it became a broken line of buses and taxis, noisy, smelly extremely slow, and the exodus of decent shops ensued.I agree a tram would be good and either reroute the buses or create a different transport option - there are 3 tube stations about 500M apart which is a good start!

Guy Lambert ● 67d

It’s good that Robinson can bog off complaining about lack of cycle  lanes and LTNs in wonderful Kensington. He is powerless to do anything about them. Of course, that won't stop him whining like a jet engine about them nevertheless but he can be ignored.

Steve Taylor ● 67d

It is good that Simon Hayes can bog off complaining about cycle lanes and LTNs installed by Hounslow.He doesn't vote in Hounslow so is powerless to do anything about them.Of course, that won't stop him whining like a jet engine about them nevertheless but he can be ignored.

Michael Robinson ● 67d

Admittedly I haven’t been to Oxford Street for some years but the last time I was there it was very tacky with lots of third world kitsch tourist shops. However, I would have thought that Kahn banning buses and taxis from the street will put off even more visitors because many don’t like the underground. Seems Kahn hasn’t thought this through or he is happy to make the street of interest to tourists who will be extremely disappointed in what it has to offer. Cheaper to buy the tourist bling in China.

Steve Taylor ● 67d

Oh goody, no cycles or other traffic on Oxford Street. All the more time to linger outside the organised crime funded, tax evading 'sweet shops' that proliferate this once landmark shopping area.Not a bloody clue Khan.

N V Brooks ● 67d

Yes, £120,000 of which goes to nighttime economy czar Amy Lame. Money well spent….There seems to be a rather foolish minority who don’t understand how the London economy works. Most of them seem to be cycling enthusiasts who don’t venture much beyond their wfh desks. The current transport policies are strangling a lot of businesses, slowly but surely.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

There is no disputing crime is on the increase in Oxford Street although this seems largely to be due to it becoming a regular meeting point for gangs of youths. It is hard to predict whether or not pedestrianisation would help reduce this problem or make it worse. What would help immediately is a crack down on all the candy shops which are blatantly taking part in money laundering. I'm very disappointed the incoming government hasn't acted on this matter.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 67d

"We all live in London, and aren’t confined to the areas in which we pay council tax.."Not least because over 20% of our council tax goes to the GLA.

Richard Greenhough ● 67d

The A4 is a TfL road and not under council control. D’oh!

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Rancid Robinson has clearly got zero awareness of what he says to people on this forum. My advice to him was exactly what he said to me in another thread. Is he thick or just spending to much time with LCC gimps?We all live in London, and aren’t confined to the areas in which we pay council tax, much as some here might like that to be the case. If Rancid and his cohort don’t like opposing or counter arguments then they ought to retreat to their LCC echo chamber.He can shingle about K&C council all he likes but as he doesn’t vote there he is powerless to do anything about it.

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Doesn't Simon Hayes live in Ealing...?In which case he knows what he can do with bike lanes and LTNs installed by Hounslow.

Michael Robinson ● 67d

Simon, it’s rather odd that you feel compelled to comment on C9 in Chiswick, given you don’t live in Hounslow. Will you be taking your own advice from now on?

Tom Pike ● 67d

"If you don’t live in Kensington and Chelsea it’s really none of your businesses what the council does or doesn’t do, is it? You can’t vote there, so put up and shit up, eh?!!"In that case can we vote to have the A4 through Chiswick dug up and replaced with bike lanes, parks or tram lines? If they're going to be anti-social enough to stop us having a safe cycling route through their borough. Then we can stop them driving their noisy, polluting and dangerous SUV's through Chiswick to reach the M4.

Steve Townsend ● 67d

But what about cycles?  We can’t have monster e-bikes hurtling up and down Oxford Street and ploughing through the pedestrians, or any other kind of bike for that matter to avoid the usual dodging and weaving. Not that I can see that being enforced  As others have suggested, Oxford Street no longer has the concentration of decent shops it used to have. The opposite, in fact, with empty department stores and dodgy sweet shops. I don’t know why tourists still go there unless their guide books are out of date or lying!

Peter Evans ● 67d

Before anything else Khan needs to make it a safe place to shop. The West End and Oxford Street in particular has earned a reputation for serious street crime. Pickpockets, con artists, beggers and muggers all need to be cracked down on. Hard.The high spenders from overseas are going elsewhere as they don't feel safe in Central London anymore.Also when they have pedestrianised ALL bikes need to be banned. That's a shame but it will be the only way to stop phone snatchers using powered bikes.First things first Mr Khan. Restore law and order otherwise you are wasting your time.

Adrian Irving ● 67d

Michael Robinson: ‘ I wouldn't expect anything to improve cycling on Kensington High St while the current Conservative council are in charge of RBKC.Fundamentally they are in thrall to their wealthy car-driving residents and other modes of transport are less important.’If you don’t live in Kensington and Chelsea it’s really none of your businesses what the council does or doesn’t do, is it? You can’t vote there, so put up and shit up, eh?!!

Simon Hayes ● 67d

It’s a tourist street. No normal Londoner goes to Oxford Street if they can help it. The two Westfield centres have a much better offer in terms of shops.And as for your view of the nighttime economy? Not what those running the businesses are saying.https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/bars/london-nightlife-economy-sadiq-khan-b1145432.html

Simon Hayes ● 67d

I wouldn't expect anything to improve cycling on Kensington High St while the current Conservative council are in charge of RBKC.Fundamentally they are in thrall to their wealthy car-driving residents and other modes of transport are less important.There are virtually no bus lanes in RBKC either.If you go back in history and look at a map of London's trolley bus network, there is a gap in Kensington and Chelsea as the predecessor council refused to allow them  because they thought the overhead cabling spoiled the look of their streets, so nothing really changes.In theory, TfL could take over High St Kensington from RBKC if approved by a government minister, as has been mentioned for Oxford St however that would be a bit of a 'nuclear' option and there would be nothing to stop a future government from reversing this.

Michael Robinson ● 67d

GLA measures to boost the night time economy in the wake of the pandemic such as incentives to visit the theatre seem to have worked and the West End appears to be thriving whenever I am there. Oxford Street is a special case and it isn't Sadiq Khan's fault that online retailers have so damaged the business model of departments stores. He doesn't get to pick which shops open on Oxford Street.Something drastic does need to be done here and if pedestrianisation can be shown to work then it has to be considered. However, let's not pretend that this is a simple issue. Half of the vehicles on Oxford Street are buses and 87% of the people travelling in vehicles are on buses. Many of these bus journeys would have to be made on streets which are less suitable such as Wigmore Street and Brook Street and the efficiency of the bus network would be significantly reduced.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 67d

It would be interesting to see how they are proposing to re-route the buses. Now, a nice tram the length of Oxford Street would be worth pursuing.....

Richard Greenhough ● 67d

They can pedestrianise it but it won’t improve the shopping experience unless they actually put some decent shops back in that street. Sadiq Khan hasn’t got a clue about boosting economic growth

Simon Hayes ● 67d

Is there anything active being done on Kensington High street? It's ridiculous that you can reach almost any central London workplace on a protected cycle line from Chiswick now except for that section. Once the daylight is too short to be able to bypass through Kensington Gardens you're back to the ride of death in the dark down Kensington Hugh Street. That said the council are not exactly well known for looking after the safety of people in their borough. 

John Hall ● 68d