Oxford Street pedestrianisation shifts traffic queues to nearby roads
London’s Oxford Street has become pedestrian-only for nearly a kilometre, but the first day of the scheme brought reported traffic queues to nearby roads. The change matters because buses and other vehicles have been diverted through the West End, prompting concerns that congestion, noise and pollution may shift to neighbouring streets.
The closed section runs between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street. Transport for London redirected five bus routes, the 98, 139, 390, N98 and N207, and introduced new stops; taxis and private hire vehicles cannot enter the pedestrianised area. Westminster councillor Tim Barnes said Wigmore Street and other smaller roads were ill-suited to the diverted traffic, while the council has also raised concerns about access, air pollution and public safety.
In short
- Oxford Street has closed to motor traffic for nearly a kilometre.
- Five bus routes now use surrounding streets.
- Neighbouring roads saw queues during the first morning rush hour.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Nightmare around Oxford Street: Sadiq Khan’s ‘pedestrian-only’ zone for London’s busy shopping hub hammers neighbouring streets with traffic jams as cars clog up roads”.