London's Oxford Street is about to change forever. Traffic diversions begin on Sunday evening, 25 October, ahead of the first pedestrianised section opening on Monday 26 October 2026, with the almost one-kilometre stretch between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street becoming traffic-free. Buses, taxis, bicycles and other vehicles will be banned from the section under the plans confirmed by Mayor Sadiq Khan.
According to Energy Radio, TfL says traffic will be diverted between Portman Street and Winsley Street from 8pm on Sunday. From 1am on Saturday 24 October, routes 7, N7, 94, N113 and N137 will terminate at Marble Arch. From 8pm on Sunday, routes 98, 139, 390, N98 and N207 will use alternative roads, serving stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place, around 200 metres from the pedestrian area.
The development marks the first major step in the transformation of Oxford Street into a pedestrianised retail and leisure destination, the Retail Gazette reports. Temporary changes including new seating will be introduced while officials assess how shoppers and visitors use the space, with longer-term plans including greenery and areas capable of hosting retail, sporting, cultural and festive events.
Khan said the October launch would mean the changes arrive just in time for the busy Christmas shopping period, adding that his ambition was to turn the street into a world-class space combining flagship retail with workplaces, leisure experiences and events. Earlier consultation on the wider regeneration plans found around seven in ten respondents supported the proposals, with businesses including Selfridges, John Lewis and Ikea welcoming the project.
Westminster City Council has raised concerns over how the changes will operate and the potential impact on surrounding streets. Deputy leader Tim Barnes warned that diverting vehicles away from Oxford Street could push traffic onto smaller neighbouring roads, creating economic and environmental problems for the surrounding area, according to the Retail Gazette.