Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

The thorny issue of the pedestrianisation of London's most famous shopping street had foxed London's mayoral administrations for years.

Every time a new plan emerged, it was scrapped by Westminster Council, who owned the street and could be swayed by the marginal seats on either side of the debate.

The use of a development corporation for Oxford Street had actually been discussed in City Hall as far back as 2018.

It meant a mayoral body taking control of how Oxford Street was developed while removing planning powers for the area from Westminster Council.

Critics said it was anti-democratic and that it would disenfranchise local people and the Conservative leader of Westminster City Council accused Sadiq Khan of "cheating the system".

But the mayor said resident opposition could not be allowed to hold up the development of the UK's main high street.

The creation of the Oxford Street Development Corporation required approval from the then secretary of state for housing, communities and local government, Angela Rayner.

City Hall insiders said Rayner's backing was "great" and necessary for the creation of the corporation, which was established on 1 January 2026.

Read more here.

Jess Warren
London

Image source, Oxford Street Development Corporation

The pedestrianisation project is expected to cost £150m overall, which includes the cost of highway changes.

The corporation says it is looking to generate funds from a range of sources including advertising, sponsorship and philanthropic contributions and borrowing.

Any future phases are being considered and costed, the development corporation says.

Gem O'Reilly
on Oxford Street

Could the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street change shopping habits and social experiences in central London?

I've been chatting to Dan Parr, senior vice president at CACI, which helps brands and places understand how consumers interact with them. Dan is also chair of Revo, the independent voice and champion of retail and leisure places.

Dan tells me today's news is exciting for consumers, but he says Oxford Street, as an estate, has a lot of different owners and is not "as managed" as the likes of Carnaby Street, Covent Garden or Westfield shopping centres.

He says putting the pedestrianisation in place will mean consumers "will spend more time and money... not just for shopping but for experiences too".

"Whether you're a Londoner, a domestic tourist or an international tourist, you might be using these stores to inspire a purchase, fulfil a purchase, pick something up or return," he says.

"We've seen over the last 10 years complete changes in shopping behaviours and shopping patterns.

"This is about resetting Oxford Street west to create somewhere that is a true destination."

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Nadir works at a juice stall near Bond Street. He says he is "happy" to see the section of the road shut to traffic.

"It makes the business work more for more people who come," he explains. "It makes everyone excited. We'll see."

Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

Gridlock in surrounding streets around Oxford Street hasn’t materialised so far this morning, probably because it is half term. Although I did witness a 159 bus going up a one way road in Cavendish Square.

There had been concerns from local residents about the impact closing about 1km of the road would have on surrounding streets, with some people telling me they were worried for Marylebone's neighbourhoods.

Most people I’ve spoken to today about the pedestrianisation are happy with the changes, and the Oxford Street Development Corporation says this is just the beginning.

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

If you’re a driver or cyclist and you're feeling confused, take comfort in the fact even police officers are still getting to grips with the new arrangement.

One officer stopped outside Selfridges to ask an Oxford Street security worker: “How do I get my car down there?”

The Oxford Street development corporation, which is leading the change, previously said it had worked with the emergency services to understand their access needs to Oxford Street, and would continue to do so as the changes unfold.

It said police, ambulances and the fire service would be able to access the pedestrianised areas along "multiple access points".

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Visiting the street this morning is Lucia, who tells me: "I was on my way to work and thought I would detour to see how it looks.

"It's very joyful. We are used to walking on crowded pavements, so it's really exciting to see the people using this space."

She adds that the street "has so much potential to actually be a space for people.

"Let's see how it regenerates with time, how different types of businesses pop out, how different spaces for people to hang out appear.

"I think in summer it will be lovely. Christmas will be great, it will be more enjoyable."

Luxmy Gopal
Oxford Street

At Marble Arch Bus Stop K last night, a crowd of self-described transport enthusiasts were gathered, waiting to board the last ever bus to drive all the way down Oxford Street.

They could barely contain their excitement when the number 98 bus arrived at 19:55. And it did feel momentous.

This was the last chance to see the iconic bright red London bus gliding past the Christmas decorations, and the view of the line of shops from the top deck.

The fans on board said it was emotional and quite sad.

They were so dedicated to enjoying the last remaining bus routes down that part of Oxford Street, that they had even stayed up the night before to go on the final night bus journey before that road closes to traffic for good.

Jess Warren
London

Asked about concerns from residents and accessibility campaigners, the mayor says he wants Oxford Street to be "great" for everyone.

"[We are] working with both councils, Camden and Westminster, with the businesses, with the retailers, with disability groups, with Transport for London, to make sure we've got a street that is vibrant and safe," he tells BBC Radio London Breakfast.

"We're going to carry on testing and learning, refining the plans we have to make sure everyone gets to enjoy this street."

"We don't want it to be horrible, we want it to be great," he adds.

"We are going to learn from this first phase to make sure the next phase takes on people's concerns."

Jess Warren
London

Image source, Press Association

We've now heard from London Mayor Lord Khan who tells BBC Radio London pedestrianising part of Oxford Street will help the central London road move away from what he dubbed "managed decline".

"John Lewis came here in 1864, Selfridges in 1909. It's a street I remember from my youth when I worked here in many of the shops," he says.

The mayor says the street's retailers face "greater competition now from online shoppers and we've got a choice. We continue to allow this street to decline or we recognise the role this street has.

"Over the last couple of decades it's been in decline, I'd say managed decline.

"I'm not willing to stand by as shops leave this street, as jobs leave this street, and that's why I'm really proud 1km of this street is traffic free."

He adds: "We will have a great lead up to Christmas, safe and spacious, and next year you'll be seeing more trees and seats and public squares.

"I'm so excited for the future of Oxford Street in a way, many businesses and retailers haven't for a long time."

Jess Warren
London

Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, tells BBC Radio London residents have regularly raised issues with pedestrianisation of Oxford Street whenever a scheme was proposed in the past.

"We just couldn't find ways that would practically work," he says, adding that many questions surrounding the scheme "haven't been resolved" by today.

"I think we need to see a lot of how this works in practice.

"It's going to be very difficult for people with accessibility issues to get to the street. There is no step free access from Oxford Circus Tube."

He adds that people who would have used buses and taxis on the road now have to use alternate routes and bus stops about 100m away from the road.

"We're continuing to raise the issues and look at all the problems that are there," Barnes says. "We will be monitoring for traffic problems or noise problems, pollution issues, and taking those back to TfL and the mayor, and charging them with the responsibility of fixing those problems if they've created them."

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

While it’s clear to drivers that they’re no longer welcome down this portion of Oxford Street, the message appears to have been less clear for cyclists.

There’s a team of about seven street security at the Oxford Circus end of the street attempting to get cyclists to dismount - with mixed success.

Some are calling out: "Dismount from your bike" as cyclists pedal through.

It remains to be seen whether this will stay as a teething problem or a constant enforcement issue in the weeks and months to come.

Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

While the mayor maybe hailing the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, not everyone is happy about the changes.

Michael Bolt, from the Marylebone Association, was among a number of locals who told me they feared surrounding area would be "ruined" as traffic is displaced on to other roads.

"Wigmore Street is going to be pretty well crushed with traffic, and traffic will then have to move up through Marylebone to try and get through," he said.

Karen Jones, who has lived in the area for 20 years, is also worried what will happen to their "beautiful garden neighbourhoods".

"You just cannot take 30 or 40 bus routes, and then switch them into green neighbourhoods with playgrounds and children, and expect they'll stay the same."

Jess Warren
London

In a statement released before today, London mayor Sadiq Khan hailed the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as “a truly momentous occasion for the capital”.

Describing it as “a new vibrant destination”, he said: “I’m hugely excited to see my bold vision for Oxford Street coming to life.

“There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades. After so many false dawns, and now working with a government who share the scale of my ambition, I’m proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street.

“Revitalising Oxford Street will boost jobs and economic growth in the capital, unlock the full potential of this key part of the West End and help build a better, greener and more prosperous London for everyone.”

We'll be hearing more from him as he speaks to the BBC just after 08:00.

Jess Warren
London

London transport commissioner Andy Lord is also down on Oxford Street to mark the fact a large part of it is now traffic free after years of failed attempts.

He says the scheme is creating a safer space for people to enjoy the street.

He adds that “we will be closely monitoring these changes to make sure they are working for everyone and supporting the continued economic growth London needs”.

Karl Mercer
BBC London political editor

A rainbow appeared over Oxford Street on day one of it being pedestrianised.

The mayor, who is now down here, will be hoping there's a pot of gold at the end of it.

Gem O'Reilly
on Oxford Street

This is the first phase of the scheme, and being sat on a bench on Oxford Street this morning, various different things are happening.

Cyclists are having to dismount and many cyclists aren't necessarily aware that they can on longer bike along the road.

I was just informing one of them that this is now permanent all the way down to the Bond Street area, and he was completely shocked by it.

He was saying he was going to have to re-route his whole journey due to the changes.

Jess Warren
London

Image source, TfL

Traffic can still flow north and south along Regent Street at the Oxford Circus junction.

Pedestrians can cross at the junction and the plan is for traffic signals to be rephased for the changes.

Traffic can also cross the pedestrianised zone on these four other routes:

• Duke Street (northbound)
• Davies Street/Stratford Place (both directions for local access)
• Vere Street/New Bond Street (southbound only)
• Holles Street (northbound only)

Here is a map of the newly pedestrianised area in green, which also shows the traffic access points.

Jess Warren
London

Image source, TfL

A number of bus routes have been diverted on to different roads as part of the first phase of pedestrianisation.

Bus routes 98, 139, 390 , N98 and N207 have been diverted nearby and are using new bus stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place.

Bus routes 7, N7, 94, N113 and N137 are terminating in the Marble Arch area.

There are minor changes to routes 2, 13, 73, 74, 113, 159, 189, 274, N2, N8, N15, N25, N73, N74, N109, N136, including changes to bus stops.

TfL says it placed alternative bus stops about 200m from the traffic-free area, and taxi ranks about 100m away.

Image source, Oxford Street Development Corporation

Shutting a large part of Oxford Street to all traffic is of course going to mean vehicles will need to go elsewhere.

An increase in traffic is expected, external on Wigmore Street, Cavendish Place, Henrietta Place, Marylebone Lane and Welbeck Street as buses will use these streets and they provide an east-to-west alternative to Oxford Street, TfL says.

Margaret Street, Upper Brook Street, Marylebone Lane, Dunraven Street and Stratford Place are expected to see an increase in traffic noise between 3.2dB and 7.8dB, external because of the changes.

The largest reductions in traffic noise are expected on Oxford Street, Bryanston Street and James Street.

Improvements in air quality are expected in several locations in the Oxford Street west area, with other locations showing "no material effect", TfL adds.

However, some locals tell BBC London they worry about the impact the changes will have on the surrounding area. We'll be hearing from them during the morning.