Council votes to push ahead with Oxford Street area pedestrianisation plans

By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter

A council is pushing ahead with plans to pedestrianise side roads off Oxford Street.

Westminster City council voted in favour of starting design works to extend pavements, lighting, seating and green spaces along Davies Street, James Street and Grosvenor Square during a cabinet meeting on Monday.

The plans are the third and final part of the wider £90million Oxford Street revamp, which is expected to start next year. The council said this leg of the project was not “critical” and has been introduced at a late stage because it is yet to secure funding from the private sector.

Westminster is aiming to split the costs associated with the projects on Grosvenor Square and James Street equally with the private sector while promising to cover the Davies Street development with s106 contributions.

The schemes are expected to cost £16.3million in total and have received strong public backing, according to a council report.

Under the plans, cars will no longer be able to access the Davies Street entrance along Oxford Street, turning the important gateway to Mayfair into a pedestrianised zone fitted with seating and trees to create more space for the surge in visitors at Bond Street since the Elizabeth line opened.

Along James Street, temporary footpaths introduced during Covid to allow for social distancing will be made permanent and upgrades will be made to paths along Picton Place, Barrett Street and Bird Street. There will also be a north-south cycle link between James Street and Gilbert Street.

Plans for Grosvenor Square are the only ones yet to go out for public consultation but the council has shown its support to widen foot paths and boost cycle and e-scooter parking.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, Westminster City council’s cabinet member for development, said earlier this year: “After years of abandoned schemes, we are now about to finally get under way with a deliverable plan to breathe new life into Oxford Street.

“With the support of our partners at NWEC, we now have a coalition of the council, retailers, landowners, and others in place to develop a practical but also ambitious plan. The West End constantly needs to adapt if it is to continue to be a draw to shoppers.

“The buzz is definitely back on Oxford Street with brands like IKEA and HMV taking up space in Oxford Street, and the prospect of new galleries and arts spaces will make it a great all-round experience.”

Pictured top: A CGI of the revamp works of Oxford Street being proposed by Westminster City council (Picture: Westminster City council)