Westminster City Council has reacted with fury after the Government rejected a last-minute bid to delay the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, according to MyLondon. The council had written to ministers a week earlier calling on Transport for London to carry out a full review of the environmental impact of the Mayor of London's planned £150 million makeover of the street, due to begin next month, arguing that stopping vehicles from entering the shopping thoroughfare would push extra noise and pollution onto nearby roads. Traffic will be closed between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street by the end of October, with a redesign for the road, expected to include al fresco dining areas, due to be published in November 2027 ahead of further construction.
Cllr Tim Barnes, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, said:
"We're extremely disappointed that MHCLG have ignored legitimate concerns about the impact this scheme will have on central London.
"Rushing pedestrianisation to meet the Mayor's arbitrary deadline will be a disaster for local people, businesses and visitors.
"The Mayor's own submission to MHCLG showed air pollution and noise rising. We need to know how much, and how far, those problems will spread. Important questions on managing traffic, noise and impact on air quality all sit unanswered.
"We've consistently said that if pedestrianisation must happen we'll help to make it work.
"London deserves a world-class shopping district, but I'm worried we're heading for an unmanaged mess.
"The council will review the details of this decision and consider our next steps."
The Conservatives, who won back control of Westminster City Council in May's local elections, have consistently objected to the pedestrianisation project, describing the consultation that preceded it as a "sham." The Mayor's office maintains that improving walkability will enhance Oxford Street's status as the capital's best-known shopping destination, and has dismissed complaints that the scheme has been accelerated.
Westminster Council 'disappointed' as bid to stall £150m Oxford Street pedestrianisation rejected
Conservative-run Westminster City Council stated it had concerns over the environmental impact of pedestrianising Oxford Street
Cllr Tim Barnes, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, said:
"We're extremely disappointed that MHCLG have ignored legitimate concerns about the impact this scheme will have on central London.
"Rushing pedestrianisation to meet the Mayor's arbitrary deadline will be a disaster for local people, businesses and visitors.
"The Mayor's own submission to MHCLG showed air pollution and noise rising. We need to know how much, and how far, those problems will spread. Important questions on managing traffic, noise and impact on air quality all sit unanswered.
"We've consistently said that if pedestrianisation must happen we'll help to make it work.
"London deserves a world-class shopping district, but I'm worried we're heading for an unmanaged mess.
"The council will review the details of this decision and consider our next steps."
You can read Stewart Carr's article for MyLondon in full on via their website.
