Angela Rayner is supporting the initiative proposed by Sir Sadiq Khan to pedestrianise Oxford Street «as quickly as possible.» The mayor of London had previously attempted to eliminate traffic from the renowned shopping street but was blocked by the Conservative-dominated Westminster City Council in 2018.
According to Sir Sadiq’s office, 66% of individuals surveyed as part of a consultation on the plans endorsed the pedestrianisation. Additional research conducted by YouGov in September of last year indicated that 63% of Londoners are in favor of the project.
Ms. Rayner, the secretary of state for housing, communities, and local government, expressed her support by stating, «We aim to transform Oxford Street into a vibrant destination for both tourists and London residents. That is why we embrace the Mayor of London’s bold proposals to achieve this goal. We are committed to assisting the mayor in realizing this ambitious vision, which will rejuvenate Oxford Street, stimulate investment, generate new employment opportunities for locals, and contribute to economic growth in the capital.»
The current plans only require Ms. Rayner’s approval, and the mayor intends to establish a mayoral development corporation no later than January 1, 2026. Sir Sadiq aims to limit traffic within the 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with potential further modifications towards Tottenham Court Road.
The mayor’s office asserts that out of over 6,500 responses received in their consultation launched in February, «Londoners and businesses overwhelmingly support the mayor’s proposals.» The initiative has garnered the backing of prominent entities such as Ikea, Selfridges, John Lewis, and the London Chamber of Commerce. Detailed traffic proposals will be outlined later this year.
Sir Sadiq emphasized, «Oxford Street has endured challenges over the years, necessitating urgent action to revitalize our nation’s high street. Given the overwhelming support from Londoners and major businesses for our exciting plans, I am delighted to announce that we will be advancing swiftly. Our objective is to revamp Oxford Street and position it as a global hub for shopping, leisure, and outdoor events, featuring a world-class, pedestrian-friendly avenue. This transformation will attract more international visitors, spur new investments, create jobs, and drive economic prosperity for years to come.»
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