London's Oxford Street goes pedestrian-only: nearly 1 km traffic-free as buses reroute and 2027 greening planned

Nearly one kilometre of London's Oxford Street became permanently pedestrian-only from October 26, 2026, marking the first phase of the overhaul of Britain's busiest shopping street. The stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street is now closed to cars, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, bicycles, scooters and pedicabs. This site reported on October 6 that the mayor had confirmed the October 26 start date; the ban is now in force.

What is banned, what stays open

Emergency vehicles retain access at all times, and deliveries and servicing are allowed between midnight and 7 a.m.; mobility scooters remain permitted. North-south roads crossing the street stay open, including Duke Street, Regent Street and Great Portland Street, and Oxford Circus can still be crossed north-south. Transport for London has rerouted bus services: routes 98, 139, 390, N98 and N207 now run on nearby roads with new stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place, while routes 7, N7, 94, N113 and N137 terminate at Marble Arch. Taxi ranks remain within about 100 metres of the restricted area.

The mayor: an end to decline, a new era

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “After so many false dawns, and now working with a government who share the scale of my ambition, I'm proud that we're finally unlocking a new era for the street.” He called the move the “end of decline” for Oxford Street. The mayor's office says the street attracts about 500,000 visitors a day with annual sales of around £3.1 billion; city officials estimate pedestrianisation could inject more than $90 million a year into the local economy and add more than 700 jobs.

The next steps come in 2027: more than 50 new trees, 100 new seats, two public squares, and better signage and lighting, with minimal construction before the Christmas shopping season. Some worry about accessibility for elderly and disabled customers, and about traffic spilling into nearby neighbourhoods. Oxford Street has struggled since the pandemic, and the spread of American candy and vape stores has damaged its reputation — a phenomenon the mayor has said he aims to clear up.