UK: Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins in central London

Loading the video No Comment Video. UK: Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins in central London Copy/paste the link below: Copy/paste the article video embed link below: Updated: 26 October 2026 - 17:29 GMT+1 Pedestrians have taken over part of London's Oxford Street as a new traffic ban comes into force. The British capital is turning almost a kilometre of Oxford Street into a pedestrian-only zone, banning cars, buses, taxis, bicycles and e-scooters between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT Shoppers took to the traffic-free road as buses were diverted. Mayor Sadiq Khan visited retailers to promote the changes, intended to make the street safer and more welcoming ahead of Christmas. Black cab drivers, however, warn that the restrictions could make access harder for disabled passengers. Paris pedestrianised much of Rue de Rivoli in 2020, attracting more than 20,000 cyclists daily and reducing nitrogen dioxide levels, although critics say congestion has shifted to nearby roads. Brussels closed 800 metres of Boulevard Anspach to traffic in 2015. Some retailers initially reported sales falling by up to 20%, but 85% later supported the scheme despite criticism of its implementation. Oxford Street now faces a familiar challenge: attracting more pedestrians while keeping shops accessible and surrounding traffic moving. London pedestrians Sadiq Khan traffic accessibility shopping Top stories Now playing Next UK: Oxford Street pedestrianisation begins in central London Now playing Next Ukraine: Russian strikes hit Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, injuring four Now playing Next Mexico: spectacular Catrina parade brings the dead to life Now playing Next Latest news bulletin | October 26th, 2026 – Midday Now playing Next 'Yes Bibi or No Bibi': Netanyahu's political future overshadows voting Now playing Next Alternative to agricultural irrigation with double treated wastewater In partnership with the European Commission Now playing Next Algiers to send troops to Niger in first foreign deployment in decades Now playing Next Student List wins Serbian election as Vučić concedes defeat Now playing Next Brazil's Lula clinches election victory as Bolsonaro rejects results Now playing Next Maria Corina Machado back in Venezuela after 10 months in exile Now playing Next Yotova narrowly ahead in first round of Bulgarian presidential vote Now playing Next Le Pen launches presidential campaign, vowing to restore 'rule of law' Now playing Next Cyprus signs $1.8bn deal to develop first gas field, with exports to Europe via Egypt Now playing Next The architectural heritage of Greece's Kea island: Vibrant colours, stone houses and watermills Now playing Next How a Belgian founder built a tech company and a waffle brand in Macao Now playing Next Why Israel’s wartime election isn’t just about the battle with Iran and Hamas ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT No Comment US: Nicki Minaj endorses Trump at Michigan Republican rally No Comment Brazil: Thousands flood streets to celebrate Lula's election victory No Comment Serbia: crowds celebrate in Belgrade after Vučić admits defeat No Comment Brazil: long queues and river journeys mark decisive presidential vote Culture news Be nice, not nasty: Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton on why AI needs humans at its heart Europe News 2.92-metre monster fish: German angler lands giant catfish from Polish reservoir EU News 'Democracy has won': Europe celebrates Lula's surprise victory in Brazil Europe News Ukrainian drone strike on Voronezh kills two as Kyiv and Moscow prepare to restart talks Europe Today Israel is 'on its way become normal again', says former prime minister Ehud Olmert Europe Today 'Extraordinary historical moment' in Serbian democracy, following Vučić defeat Travel News Discovering Almaty: Mountain mornings, street art and market flavours Europe Today Europe Today: Serbia’s students topple Vučić as Israel braces for crucial election ADVERTISEMENT Brazil Brazil's Lula clinches election victory as Bolsonaro rejects results Culture news Songs of praise: An emotional Greek-German musical collaboration at Berlin Cathedral Europe News Student List wins Serbian election in political earthquake as Vučić concedes defeat Europe News Marine Le Pen launches presidential campaign with vow to restore 'rule of law' World News María Corina Machado back in Venezuela after 10 months in exile No Comment Thousands of sheep take over Madrid's streets for Transhumance Festival Europe News UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham wants 'honest discussion' on return to EU free movement Israel Israel orders West Bank crossings to close on election day following Hebron shooting ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT