Council declares war with Sadiq Khan's TfL over Oxford Street 'stitch-up'

Westminster City Council is demanding Transport for London immediately suspend alterations to bus stops along London's Oxford Street as part of Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan's pedestrianisation plans.

Council leader Paul Swaddle has branded the move "a stitch-up, plain and simple".

His fury stems from TfL's decision to publish the measures immediately following May's local elections, when public attention was firmly fixed on the results.

Mr Swaddle accused the mayor and capital's transport authority of attempting "to force through permanent changes to the most famous shopping street in the world" through a consultation "so quiet that the people whose livelihoods depend on the street never even knew it was happening".

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The £150million scheme, which has faced opposition over concerns about crime, accessibility and traffic impacts, will see the western portion of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street closed entirely to private cars, buses, taxis, cyclists, scooters and pedicabs.

TfL has issued traffic orders covering more than 20 streets as it prepares to implement the pedestrianisation later this year.

The orders encompass modifications to bus stands and supporting infrastructure designed to maintain effective traffic flow once vehicles are banned from the area.

Crucially, Westminster Council lacks any authority to block TfL's traffic orders, leaving the borough powerless to prevent the changes proceeding.

TfL has defended its approach, with a spokesman stating the authority followed standard procedures for issuing traffic orders, which included "publishing a notice and sending emails to statutory consultees such as Westminster City Council".

Sir Sadiq maintains the transformation will boost the local economy and breathe new life into the area.

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However, the project has attracted criticism from those worried about its potential effects on crime levels, access for disabled people and surrounding traffic congestion.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the council anticipates receiving further notifications as the scheme advances, which would give Westminster additional chances to submit formal responses.

Sir Sadiq first announced the plans in February last year, with a consultation receiving more than 6,000 responses, many of which were in support of the measures.

He emphasised Oxford Street could become a global leader for shopping and outdoor events, noting "urgent action" was needed.

Sir Saiq suggested the new proposals could help the shopping district compete with the likes of Times Square in New York and the Champs-Élysées in Paris.

He added: "This would help to unlock the true potential of Oxford Street and attract more international visitors, bringing the world to London and showcasing the best of London to the world.

"It would act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come."

A trial on Oxford Street was held last September, which featured stalls and events from the likes of the National Basketball Association and The Body Shop.

More than two-thirds of shops along Oxford Street reported similar or higher sales compared to a typical Sunday, supporting calls for the pedestrianisation plan to go ahead.

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