Sadiq Khan has confirmed plans to see the busy London through road become completely vehicle free by the end of this summer
The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been dubbed a “huge leap of faith”, as politicians and stakeholders met to discuss how it could affect London’s economy.
London Assembly Member Alex Wilson, who represents Reform UK, said that important questions about how the scheme will actually affect the area remain unanswered.
“If I’m being generous, I think it’s a huge leap of faith and if I’m not being generous, I think it’s a leap of ideology, a leap of vanity,” he told the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee on Tuesday afternoon (June 2).
Sir Sadiq Khan has confirmed plans to see the busy London through road become completely vehicle-free by the end of this summer. It will cost a hefty £144 million to pedestrianise the stretch from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street.
The Mayor, whose plans have faced both opposition and support, has said pedestrianisation will transform the road into a world-class retail and leisure destination. Estimates by the Greater London Authority predict that the scheme could generate up to £82 million in value added, as well supporting over 700 more jobs.
Tim Lord, representing the Westminster Amenity Societies Forum on the committee’s guest panel, said that there wasn’t yet enough information about the scheme to decide if it would benefit London’s economy.
“We don’t have very much data to go on and that means that we could end up doing something that doesn’t make money,” he told the committee, adding: “Broadly, closing this street is irrevocable and forever.”
Mr Wilson said that the scheme should not go ahead if questions around accessibility and traffic are not answered.
“What happens if this doesn’t work? What happens if it goes wrong? Is it reversible?” he questioned at the committee.
The Mayor’s scheme, so far, only includes a portion of Oxford Street, to the west of Oxford Circus.
Marcos Gold, Director of Policy and Place, Fitzrovia Partnership, said that it was important to make sure the east side of Oxford Street “doesn’t become the poorer cousin of the west side”.
“We don’t want Oxford Street to be a success story of two halves where the west side is doing really well, because that’s the bit we’re focusing on, but the east side, where Fitzrovia sits, takes a bit longer to be a success,” he told the committee.
Oxford Street has faced increased competition from larger retail malls, such as Westfield. However, it faces longer-standing problems, like overcrowding and pollution, which Westminster City Council has described as urgent.
“Oxford Street can definitely do more and that’s where we want to get it to, we want people spending more money. Despite footfall being up and dwell time being up, spend is still down year-on-year for us,” Dee Corsi, Chief Executive of Marble Arch Business Improvement District, told the committee.
She added: “Predestination is an exciting [prospect] from a business perspective that will open our world to real new opportunities that otherwise just wouldn’t be there. Of course, we can widen paving and take out some of the carriageway, but this gives us far more opportunity to do things differently.”
Stretch of Oxford Street to become pedestrian plaza
Previously Sadiq Khan said: “I want this stretch of Oxford Street to be transformed into a pedestrian plaza – a space designed to host world-class events, from sport to culture and fashion, as well as exciting new retail and leisure experiences, with the street also able to host some fantastic events as soon as this year.
“It’s important that the new design builds on and enhances Oxford Street’s unique character, identity and cultural heritage, creating a place that Londoners and visitors alike can enjoy and explore, and that will be green and welcoming to all.
“Revitalising Oxford Street will help to super-charge regeneration, boosting growth, jobs, and economic activity. I can’t wait to start delivering these bold plans to unlock the full potential of the nation’s high street, as we continue building a better London for everyone.”
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