On 28 February, the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, launched a consultation on the introduction of a Mayoral Development Area to allow him to force through the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street.
This controversial scheme has been floated before by the Mayor and was rejected by the Conservative administration who came forward with an alternative and widely accepted plan for the area. When Labour took control of the Council in 2022, they adopted much of this plan which enjoyed cross-party, resident and business support. Instead, Sadiq Khan is trying to ride roughshod over democracy and force his plans through. He has already said he will ignore objections, so the consultation seems pointless!
According to the Evening Standard, Sadiq Khan says he wants to take control of Oxford Street because the council has 'failed' the area and he doesn’t want Labour-run authority to be an "obstacle to progress".
However, local people are hugely concerned about the Mayor's plans. People living nearby are worried about increased traffic flows as motorised vehicles and bicycles will no longer travel on Oxford Street.
We are keen to hear what YOU think.