Mid- September, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan made two major announcements: plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street and a goal to make London’s rivers swimmable within the next decade. Both initiatives seem like positive steps for Londoners and the environment, but they’re still in the early stages, with no guarantees.
What’s it all about?
Focusing on the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street (we’ll cover the rivers in another article), the Mayor’s plan aims to close one of London’s busiest and best-known streets to cars, with backing from the Labour government. This move comes in response to the street’s decline, driven by the expansion of large shopping centres on the city’s outskirts. Oxford Street has also struggled to recover from the pandemic, with e-commerce continuing to affect footfall.
Pedestrianisation, alongside other improvements, is intended to make the street more attractive and increase activity from residents, businesses, and tourists. The Mayor plans to use special powers through a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), transferring planning control from Westminster Council to this new body. With Labour in control of Westminster Council, the Greater London Authority, and the Government, there’s optimism that the plan could move forward.
First reactions
The announcement has sparked excitement and curiosity among Londoners and in the media, but many details remain unclear. Key questions regarding the timeline, funding, feasibility, and long-term impact still need to be addressed.
Some organisations support the pedestrianisation, arguing it will boost Oxford Street’s economic appeal and drive increased activity. However, the Conservative opposition in Westminster fears pedestrianisation could displace traffic into nearby streets. Meanwhile, Westminster Council’s leader has outlined 10 key points that need to be addressed before fully endorsing the plan, following millions already invested in regenerating the street.
What about the environment and climate?
Although the plan isn’t explicitly aimed at making Oxford Street the greenest avenue, pedestrianising it would send a strong message about reducing car traffic in London, similar to successful actions taken in cities like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Paris. Potential benefits include reduced noise (an often-overlooked issue), improved safety (fewer cars mean fewer accidents), and better well-being through more walking and eco-friendly transport options.
However, the air quality impact might not be straightforward. Drawing from Paris’ experience with road closures—such as the Voies sur Berges and, more recently, Rue de Rivoli (similar to Oxford Street in terms of length and central location)—Oxford Street could see a significant reduction in pollution. That said, traffic, and consequently pollution, might increase on surrounding roads in the short term.
Tony Renucci, Director of the air quality charity Respire in Paris, told us that road closures make the most sense and have the biggest impact on air quality when they are part of a broader strategy to transform how people move around the city. This could involve developing a long-term transport plan for West London, with an emphasis on cycling, micro-mobility, and public transport. Tom Fyans, Director of the London Cycling Campaign, recently acknowledged in a post, the progress made with pedestrianisation plans but questioned the logic of restricting bike access to certain hours. He noted that as long as there are safe, high-quality, and inclusive parallel cycling lanes, the restrictions on bikes on Oxford Street may not be such a big issue.
The Mayor has been cautious, emphasising that they are “planning” to pedestrianise Oxford Street, not that it’s a done deal. He shared artist impressions from 2017 on X (ex Twitter) to illustrate the project, depicting green spaces with white lines, potted trees, and art installations. While visually appealing, these designs hint at light regeneration rather than bold transformation.
The Green Londoner’s vision for Oxford Street
At The Green Londoner, we’ve tried to imagine what the perfect Oxford Street could look like and came up with 10 ideas:
1. Support for eco-friendly transport: A street designed for walking, cycling, e-scooters, and accessible routes for wheelchairs and prams.
2. A multifunctional space: A community hub featuring games, terraces, weekend events, and affordable local shops—not just luxury retailers and candy stores. Why not add street art to the mix?
3. A carbon-negative street: Incorporating materials like algae walls or carbon-capturing concrete to actively absorb CO₂.
4. Circular economy pop-ups: Spaces for repair cafés, upcycling workshops, and zero-waste shops that promote reuse and recycling, alongside community-led markets focused on sustainability.
5. Climate-resilient design: Features that help cool the street during heatwaves and prevent flash flooding, such as rainwater harvesting systems.
6. Reconnect with nature: De-pave areas to reveal the ecosystem beneath the concrete, restoring elements of London’s natural landscape from centuries ago.
7. Biodiversity-friendly space: Gardens with native plants, pollinator habitats, and educational trails. Why not create Europe’s largest urban canopy or a green corridor connecting Hyde Park and Regent’s Park?
8. Urban furniture made from recycled materials: Smart technology integrated into benches and bike chargers, with air quality monitors and water fountains.
9. Host a competition: Involve all Londoners in shaping Oxford Street by gathering innovative ideas from everyone, alongside input form architects, designers, landscapers, and more.
10. Financial incentives: Encourage local businesses to meet the latest environmental standards.
By reimagining Oxford Street as a space not only for commerce but also for community, culture, and climate resilience, we can transform it into a true symbol of modern, sustainable urban living in London.
