Oxford Street to be Pedestrianised Despite Fears it Will Turn Shopping District into “Gang and Shoplifting Hotspot”
Plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street have been approved, Sadiq Khan has announced, despite fears from residents that the new car-free zone will become a “target” for gangs and shoplifters. The Mail has more.
Vehicles will be prohibited from accessing a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan revealed today.
Oxford Street is one of the world’s busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day.
Sir Sadiq said: “I am delighted to be moving forward with my bold vision to transform Oxford Street into a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events.
“Following TfL’s (Transport for London) detailed consultation, I’ve today made the decision to move ahead with these exciting changes to the nation’s high street.
“We will outline more details in the coming days, as we continue building a better, more prosperous London for everyone.”
Works to pedestrianise the road are expected to start in the summer, with the first traffic-free section introduced by the end of the year.
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, said: “We will work closely with Westminster Council in the coming months to implement changes to the roads around Oxford Street, and the Mayor will provide more information on the next steps for this transformational scheme next week.”
The Mayor’s office said the plans received “extensive support from the business community” during a consultation by TfL. …
But not everyone is happy with the changes. The Marylebone Association, which represents residents and businesses, has claimed it will increase crime on the road.
It described the plans as “dangerous, unworkable and catastrophic for the surrounding neighbourhoods”, adding it would make the zone a “magnet” for criminals.Â
The Marylebone Association said in November: “The scheme solves nothing and creates new risks on an unprecedented scale.Â
“Removing traffic removes natural surveillance, turning the street into an open stretch vulnerable to gangs, rough sleeping, illegal trading and street crime.
“Businesses already report soaring shoplifting, assaults and anti-social behaviour. Even the Mayor’s own strategy relies on a major expansion of the late night economy, increasing alcohol licences and extensions.”
And what’s with all those garish triangles?
Worth reading in full.
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No body wants it except sir fuck’head but it’s going to happen anyway.
Interesting.
About time for a populist takeover, and to get some of these unpleasant authoritarian w@nkets up against the wall.
“…my bold vision…”, he says.
What a total numpty.
Did you just use the ‘N’ word???
🤣🤣
What would be interesting if Westminster CC told the little Khant to eff off and refused to make any changes given he has already stolen Oxford Street from them. The problem with Oxford Street is that it is an A road and intended to take the majority of the traffic which means that the other roads around are not. It was a problem when I worked at WCC and there was also the problem of another neighbouring highway authority.
Given that the little khant F’s everything he attaches his name to it is inconceivable that he will not reap similar acclaim for this business destroying venture.
‘Sadiq’ by name, ‘sad dick’ by nature.🙄
Are we sure it is still even relevant as a shopping destination. I go rarely but when I do there are few people about and they are not buying, except at MacDonalds.
Maybe it’s more for tourists
I don’t really do “shopping” but I’d be going to somewhere like Westfield or even better Battersea Power Station- everything in one place. BPS is spectacular. That is if you want your general high street shop. What Central London does offer is lots of classier and more specialised shops – but they are not on Oxford Street
The government ignores the benefits of removing VAT on goods bought by foreign visitors which costs the economy. In addition to that they have declared war on the High Streets with business rate rises, employment tax rises, minimum wage rises which will make places like Oxford Street worse than they already are.
Doesn’t matter how many pedestrianised areas fail and turn into chewing gum covered holes with nothing but a Starbucks and mobile phone shops, the mediocrity that govern our cities still keep doing them
Is it his bold vision, or the vision of the c40 cities elites?
Well as chairman of the c40 I am sure the little khant will be eager to show his partners in crime how to really destroy shopping destinations.
Currently people are allowed to steal up to ÂŁ200 worth of stuff. The law allows them to do that. How totally absurd and utterly pathetic is this silly country?