Sadiq Khan seeks traffic-free pedestrian glory on Oxford Street

Sadiq Khan, London’s mayor, has announced plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street. Ideas for banning traffic from the city’s busiest shopping street have been floated and shot down for decades, including during Khan’s tenure. But now a supportive Labour government and the creation of a new Mayoral Development Corporation area could help push his plan forward. Oxford Street looks out of place among Europe’s modern landmark shopping boulevards. Buses, taxis and cyclists clog the street, with shoppers pushed aside and retail units left vacant. The new plans promise a “much-improved experience for shoppers, residents, workers and tourists” featuring greenery, benches and decorated paving. Westminster City Council isn’t happy – its own £90 million “shovel ready” improvement plan will be shelved. Cabbies will complain about new obstacles to working in one of their most lucrative areas. But Selfridges and John Lewis, two of the road’s biggest names, are on board, and the mayors of Paris and Barcelona have expressed support.