Sadiq Khan's car ban plans handed new blow just months before coming into force

Sir Sadiq Khan's plans to ban cars from Oxford Street have been handed a fresh blow - just months before they are due to come into force.

The Tories have now confirmed they will be taking "all legal avenues" to fight the pedestrianisation of the shopping street after winning back control of Westminster City Council.

Sir Sadiq gave the £150 million proposal the go-ahead in February, ordering a traffic-free zone to be in place by the end of the summer.

The London Mayor claims that the revamp will “unlock the true potential of Oxford Street, attracting more international visitors,” and providing a space that is capable of hosting “world-class events” while boosting shopping in the area.

But speaking to GB News, Conservative Councillor Tim Barnes, the council's newly-elected deputy leader, branded the scheme “an ambition without a plan.”

Mr Barnes accused the Mayor of doing “nothing” for house building in the capital, instead focusing on “vanity projects, of which Oxford street is the biggest example”.

He revealed it was a “major issue” during the local election campaign, and that residents had concerns over accessibility, gridlocked traffic and the loss of the main east-west cycle route.

Mr Barnes also pointed out that the outgoing Labour administration in Westminster was not convinced by Sir Sadiq’s plans.

“The formal position was not too different between Labour and the Tories... Neither party thought it was necessary,” he told The People’s Channel.

Under the Mayor’s proposals, the stretch of road between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street will be closed to private motorised vehicles, buses, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs.

Sir Sadiq emphasised that the street could become a global leader for shopping and outdoor events, arguing that "urgent action" was required.

He suggested that the pedestrianisation will help the district compete with world-renowned plazas such as Times Square in New York, acting “as a magnet for new investment and job-creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come."

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But the new Conservative council leader Paul Swaddle confirmed that his local authority is assessing "all legal avenues," and will be creating a legal fund to fight their case.

Speaking on the Political Business podcast, he cited accessibility as his biggest concern, pointing out that “a lot of residents rely on the buses to get up and down” the mile-long stretch of road.

He added that locals are also worried about the lack of step-free access at Oxford Circus Underground station.

The Westminster Conservatives' 100-day plan confirmed that councillors will consult with residents rather than "ignoring local concerns".

It stated: "We will stand up for Oxford Street, for accessible transport and for the right of local people to shape decisions about their own area."

The London Mayor applied for a new Mayoral Development Corporation to provide him with planning powers to grant Transport for London control of the road.

At the time, Mr Swaddle claimed that “the consultation was fudged” and that Sir Sadiq had “totally abused” the model, which was previously used by Boris Johnson to bring the Olympic Park development under the control of City Hall in 2012.

A traffic-free experiment was held on Oxford Street in September 2025 featuring stalls from Holland & Barrett, John Lewis and The Body Shop, with more than two-thirds of shops reporting similar or higher sales compared to a usual Sunday.

City Hall documents authorising the proposed changes state traffic will be banned in "summer 2026".

A spokesman for the Mayor of London told GB News: "The Mayor is moving ahead rapidly with the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street... he looks forward to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders on these plans to create a beautiful pedestrian-friendly public space for shopping, events and enjoyment - making Oxford Street a place for all."