Mayor Sadiq Khan announces a major push to pedestrianise Oxford Street, with a traffic-free event showcasing its future as a vibrant, community-focused high street, amid broad public and business support.
The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has unveiled a landmark initiative to transform one of the country’s most iconic shopping streets by announcing that half a mile of Oxford Street will go traffic-free for a day on Sunday 21st September. This event, titled ‘This is Oxford Street,’ is designed to give Londoners and visitors a tangible experience of what the bustling high street could become—a pedestrian-friendly hub that blends retail, culture, and community activities in a vibrant urban space.
The traffic-free interval, from noon to 8pm, aims to showcase a synthesis of fashion, food, music, sport, heritage, and community, demonstrating both Oxford Street’s illustrious past and Mayor Khan’s ambitious vision for its future. The event will feature themed zones such as ‘This is Style,’ highlighting Oxford Street’s global fashion identity with branded activations and pop-ups; ‘This is Play,’ celebrating London’s status as a global sporting capital with activities including international partners like Major League Baseball; ‘This is Flavour,’ offering diverse food and drink options; ‘This is Sound,’ presenting live music and performances; plus community-led initiatives under ‘This is Love,’ a heritage showcase, future urban plans, and interactive experiences capturing the day’s excitement.
This major event aligns with the Mayor’s broader strategic drive to pedestrianise nearly a mile of Oxford Street—from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street—to enhance visitor experience, foster al fresco dining, enable outdoor events, and ultimately rejuvenate the area. The proposed changes follow extensive public consultation conducted by the Greater London Authority (GLA) earlier in 2025, which revealed overwhelming support among Londoners and local businesses. Approximately 66% of respondents backed the pedestrianisation plan, with close to 70% supporting wider regeneration efforts. This consensus signals strong public demand for revitalising an area that holds critical national economic importance, contributing an estimated £25 billion annually to London’s economy but which has faced challenges from shifts in retail habits, the pandemic, and competition from online shopping.
To implement the transformation, the Mayor is progressing with plans to establish a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) by January 2026, granted legislative backing following support from the London Assembly. This body will oversee the regeneration, working collaboratively with the government, businesses, and local authorities. The MDC will help overcome previous political obstacles; for instance, Westminster City Council’s opposition had previously delayed pedestrianisation efforts. Mayor Khan has been clear that the project must proceed, emphasising that local government resistance will not stall this vital urban renewal. He has also endorsed reforms to streamline planning decisions by reducing the influence of localised opposition and empowering professional officers—highlighting his commitment to pushing forward transformative projects for London’s benefit.
Major retailers including Selfridges and John Lewis have publicly supported the plans, recognising the potential for a pedestrianised Oxford Street to attract greater footfall, investment, and employment opportunities. The proposed transformation reflects international trends seen in places like New York’s Times Square, where car-free zones have successfully enhanced urban vitality and economic performance.
Detailed traffic and highway proposals will be subject to further consultation later in the year to ensure effective management of alternative transport routes, particularly for buses currently using the street. This phased and consultative approach aims to balance accessibility with environmental and experiential improvements.
The forthcoming ‘This is Oxford Street’ event, with partners like Holland & Barrett curating wellness zones and the charity Choose Love championing community causes, will demonstrate the tangible benefits and diverse possibilities of a pedestrianised Oxford Street. Stores along the street will also participate by offering bespoke deals and promotions on the day, signalling strong business engagement.
Mayor Khan described the initiative as a “fantastic opportunity to see Oxford Street in a whole new light,” affirming his determination to unlock the high street’s “true potential” by delivering a clean, accessible, and world-class avenue. This event is positioned not only as a day of celebration but as a pivotal step towards reimagining and securing the future of the West End for the enjoyment and prosperity of all Londoners and visitors.
📌 Reference Map:
- Paragraph 1 – [1], [3]
- Paragraph 2 – [1], [3]
- Paragraph 3 – [1], [2], [6]
- Paragraph 4 – [1], [4], [5], [7]
- Paragraph 5 – [2], [4], [6]
- Paragraph 6 – [1], [3]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the event scheduled for 21st September 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 29th August 2025, indicating recent coverage. The narrative is based on a press release from the Greater London Authority, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. No earlier versions show different information. The narrative includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score. No recycled content or clickbait was identified. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The update may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The quotes from Mayor Sadiq Khan and other officials are unique to this narrative, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were identified. No online matches were found, indicating potentially original or exclusive content.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Greater London Authority, a reputable organisation. However, the Highways News website is not widely known, which may affect the overall reliability. The narrative includes references to other reputable sources, such as Reuters and the Financial Times, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the event and the plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street are consistent with information from other reputable outlets. The narrative lacks supporting detail from any other reputable outlet, which is a concern. The report includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic. The structure is focused and relevant, without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for an official announcement.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, with original quotes and a reliable source. While the Highways News website is not widely known, the information aligns with reputable outlets, and the content is plausible and well-structured.
