Main Aims

The Mayor is consulting on two key points. Firstly, these include the designation of a new Mayoral Development Area (MDA) covering Oxford Street and its immediate surroundings to the extent required. Once any MDA has been formally designated, the Secretary of State can then lay the necessary orders in parliament to establish an MDC. Whilst proposals to date have failed to provide much information – apart from indicating that approximately 0.7 miles between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch would be pedestrianised – the consultation finally frames the proposals within set parameters indicated by a map available via Transport for London.

Secondly, the consultation proposes the MDC takes on responsibility for plan-making and the determination of planning applications, enabling the delivery of a single vision for the whole of Oxford Street. Whilst the consultation recognises the efforts made by Westminster City Council and the London Borough of Camden in delivering improvements and reducing the number of candy shops in favour of a more diverse retail offering, deferring decision-making powers to the MDC is described as necessary to help drive transformation.

As Westminster City Council formally blocked the proposals in 2018, it will be interesting to establish their views on this shift in decision-making powers. This is all the more pertinent when considering that the consultation states that, should the principle of pedestrianisation be agreed, there would be no further consultation on the detailed design and implications for any permanent pedestrianisation.

The consultation also sets out an initial strategy to re-route bus routes, facilitate taxi access, deliver alternative cycle routes and consider delivery and servicing access for local businesses.

Maintaining Momentum

With Bond Street and Regent Street recovering from the pandemic at a faster rate – with respectively 98% and 83% footfall from the levels seen in 2006 compared to Oxford Street’s 57% – the Mayor argues that this new approach is required to achieve transformation. By including Oxford Street’s regeneration plans in the recently published London Growth Plan, the Mayor remains committed to ‘turbo-charging’ the endeavour with no signs of slowing down.

Next Steps

Once the consultation closes on 2 May, the Mayor will publish a report setting out his views and the conclusions reached. These will include submitting any updated proposals in relation to the designation of an MDA to the London Assembly for consideration. Following the assembly’s consideration period, the Mayor would notify the Secretary of State of any decision to designate the MDA and the Secretary of State would establish an MDC. Subject to the outcome of this consultation and any subsequent consideration by the London Assembly, the Mayor’s intention is for the MDC to be established by 1 January 2026. 

With initial consideration of technical matters and a timeframe in mind, the Mayor appears to be rapidly accelerating towards pedestrianisation. Feedback from stakeholders – through the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 which requires consultation with London Assembly Members and Members of Parliament who represent constituencies where the proposed MDA will be located – will be key in delivering the project.

Further information

Contact Annamaria Sgueglia or Matt Richards