Sir Sadiq Khan has taken a significant step forward in banning cars from Oxford Street next year, with the project moving into the next development stage.
The move saw the London Mayor appoint two architectural firms to design the transformation of the famous shopping destination.
The Mayor’s office announced that East and Hawkins/Brown will lead the development of proposals to create a pedestrian-only zone along sections of the iconic retail thoroughfare.
The appointments mark a crucial advancement in Sir Khan’s ambitious regeneration programme, which aims to convert Oxford Street into a public space for shopping, dining and outdoor events.
The selected firms will collaborate with international specialists who have worked on major pedestrianisation projects, including New York’s Times Square and Sydney’s George Street.
East, a London-based architecture and landscape practice, will take charge of designing the initial phase covering the area from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street.
Meanwhile, Hawkins/Brown will develop a concept design for the entire stretch from Marble Arch to Tottenham Court Road.
The Mayor aims to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation by January 1, following approval from the London Assembly in July 2025.
This body will possess the necessary powers to oversee the area’s regeneration and deliver the pedestrianisation programme.
Detailed traffic and highway proposals are currently being developed for the section between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus, extending to Great Portland Street, covering nearly a mile of the shopping district.
These plans will undergo public consultation later this year.
According to reports, the first phase of pedestrianisation could be rolled out in spring 2026, following the outcome of the consultations.
Technical traffic modelling for the initial section between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street is also expected to begin in early November this year.
But despite driver fury, public support for the pedestrianisation scheme has been substantial, with a consultation earlier this year revealing that 66 per cent of respondents backed the principle of removing traffic from Oxford Street.
The survey, which received 6,642 submissions from individuals, businesses and organisations, also showed 69 per cent of support for establishing a Mayoral Development Area.
To demonstrate the potential the car ban could offer the shopping district, the Mayor’s office organised a trial event in September, temporarily closing Oxford Street to vehicles.
The “This is Oxford Street” celebration featured art installations, live performances, food stalls and an urban forest, attracting support from major retailers including John Lewis and The Body Shop.
Business feedback proved encouraging, with 70 per cent of Oxford Street shops reporting similar or increased sales during the traffic-free day, while footfall rose by nearly 50 per cent.
Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, praised the appointed teams’ exceptional credentials, highlighting their involvement in transformative projects from Times Square to Bond Street.
“They have the creativity and expertise needed to reimagine one of London’s most iconic high streets,” he stated.
Julian Lewis, Director of East, described Oxford Street as “a vital public place in the heart of London which, in many ways, epitomises the city itself.”
Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company, welcomed the accelerated timeline.
“We have always been clear that the transformation of Oxford Street needs to happen at pace,” she said.
