Oxford Street to go car-free from 26 October as pedestrianisation begins

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan confirmed on 16 October 2026 that the first phase of Oxford Street's long-trailed pedestrianisation will take effect from Sunday 26 October, with buses, taxis, bikes and all other vehicles banned from the almost-kilometre stretch from Orchard Street — alongside Selfridges — to Great Portland Street near Oxford Circus. The Mayor framed the initial scheme as a trial ahead of the Christmas trading period and said it would be followed by a wider pedestrianisation led by the new Oxford Street Development Corporation. London's City Hall says public consultation showed overwhelming support, but Westminster City Council, residents' groups and some businesses have continued to question how deliveries, step-free access and bus rerouting through nearby Wigmore and Henrietta Place will work in practice. The announcement drew heavy weekend coverage, with FashionNetwork, Drapers and Property Week all leading on the start date. On Saturday 18 October the street was still handling full traffic on one of the busiest shopping Saturdays of the year, giving walkers a last glimpse of pre-change Oxford Street.