please empty your brain below
I’m a bit disappointed that the eastern section is not being pedestrianised.

Looking at the proposed bus routes, it is hard to see how they would easily divert from eastern Oxford Street “when the time comes”. I’m not sure it’s believable that they’d be rerouted via Goodge Street.

This feels like a permanent decision.

Dan Browne | 22.11.25 - 7:14 a.m. | #

Good to finally see this is being done, other European cities have done this successfully.

I wouldn’t say convenience is being sacrificed, you’re most likely there to be shopping and walking around anyway so an additional 3 to 6 mins walk to new bus stops is negligible, compared to benefits of a better environment

Tom | 22.11.25 - 7:44 a.m. | #

What about if you are riding a bike? What's the impact?

David Cohen | 22.11.25 - 7:47 a.m. | #

"We do not consider this pedestrianised area would be compatible with people cycling or using scooters to travel along Oxford Street. For this reason, we propose that cycling would not be allowed on Oxford Street West. This would include e-bikes and e-scooters."

diamond geezer | Homepage | 22.11.25 - 7:59 a.m. | #

So the London end of the A40 is to be pedestrianised

John | 22.11.25 - 8:16 a.m. | #

The destruction of the bus network in this area by multiple tiers of Labour controlled administrations who also want to discourage car use is remarkable.

Even though the 'polluting' buses criticism has been neutralized, the bus free agenda continues, it's social cleansing camouflaged as environmental enhancement.

Still Anon | 22.11.25 - 8:30 a.m. | #

'The proposed changes to routes serving Oxford Street' diagram suggests that buses 94 and 98 will be travelling contra-flow at Marble Arch along Bayswater Road and not travelling westward via Cumberland Gate. I am sure this is just a clumsy mistake. Nevertheless it will mean that a traditional London scene of multiple buses sweeping around the south side of Marble Arch will be almost gone.

I don't entirely agree with your rhetoric regarding the extra walking distance for passengers. On day one this will be largely true but that is not what experience tells us happens over time. Large stores like John Lewis, Selfridges and maybe IKEA will reconfigure their stores to make them more attractive to enter from the nearest bus stop on the north of the store. Marylebone Lane is already an attractive retail route to walk along so for some is already part of the Oxford Street shopping experience and will be regarded as an integral part it in future as more people discover it. In time the nature of roads joining Oxford Street and the nearest bus stops will subtly change their identity as coffee shops and others appear in order to catch the passing footfall.

Pedantic of Purley | 22.11.25 - 9:28 a.m. | #

Having a freepost address for the consultation avoids the bad karma of mentioning the TfL offices in Stratford.

Sprout Eater | 22.11.25 - 9:37 a.m. | #

The details of the equality impact assessment is the important document to read. This admits that some bus stop walking distances will be longer. The mitigation proposed is more seating (so you can rest while you stagger). Significant loss of single seat bus travel from the west as well.

Some shops practically cannot create an entrance on wigmore street or a side street. John Lewis already has wigmore access, Selfridges has side access on Orchard.

The equality statement mentions risk of bikes impacting pedestrians, and - struggle to see how a bike prohibition in pedestrian area will be practically enforced.

The equality statement faithfully hopes for a shopmobility (scooter hire) scheme. Did the BID (new west end co) sign up for this?

My view is the Westminster proposal (politically abandoned) was a better compromise. It would help if wigmore became a bus hail and ride zone or had more bus stops, and maybe a free disabled electric trolley service (like a tourist train, slow speed) along Oxford Street in peak periods.

MilesT | 22.11.25 - 9:46 a.m. | #

Bus accessibility would benefit from being backed up with a decent bus map of the central area. The Key Routes map leaves too much off to make it useful.

NickW | 22.11.25 - 9:49 a.m. | #

By my reckoning the nearest bus stop to Bond St (Crossrail) is one in Regent Street only 100m from the eastern entrance. Pretty close I would say.

Pedantic of Purley | 22.11.25 - 10:08 a.m. | #

I've always just regarded the traffic as part of shopping on Oxford Street so I don't think I'll find this much of an improvement. Judging by the trial, any extra space will be filled with stalls and the like, so I'll still get frustrated by dawdlers getting in my way. The slow-moving buses used to be handy for nipping along to another shop if you're not visiting every one, but that benefit went with the Routemasters as the official stops are rarely outside the shops I want so end up walking about as far.

Andrew S | 22.11.25 - 10:19 a.m. | #

Excellent analysis, of the sort that TfL and the Mayor would like to keep quiet. Definitely a negative impact on bus users, Oxford Street being the only decent east west route through that part of London.

Personally, it will be annoying that the Orchard Street stop outside M&S will no longer have all the buses going along Baker Street, with the 139 not stopping there now.

Mikey C | 22.11.25 - 10:26 a.m. | #

I think it's too late for this. It should have been before the decline of Oxford Street shopping and the closure of most of the department stores.

Maybe it's for tourists, not Londoners though. Still seems to be plenty of them convinced it's an amazing place.

Martin S | 22.11.25 - 10:36 a.m. | #

PoP, it’s 200m

Brian | 22.11.25 - 10:40 a.m. | #

It's bad for bus users and I'm not sure good for shopkeepers let alone shoppers. For some reason many British pedestrianised shopping streets fail. The money isn't there to look after them and they soon look uncared for. I expect Oxford Street will fare no better. TfL may be doing this but the upkeep won't be from their budget.

ap | 22.11.25 - 10:41 a.m. | #

I do very much prefer unmixed units.

Jonathan Wadman | 22.11.25 - 11:03 a.m. | #

Brian,

100 metres in a straight line as the crow flies which is walkable. Maybe a tiny bit more. No need to follow route given by Google maps to use the pedestrian crossing as traffic is light (and slow) anyway.

Pedantic of Purley | 22.11.25 - 11:46 a.m. | #

I've got to admit these proposals look fantastic. I'm disappointed it's not going further east but it's certainly a great start. It makes sense that cyclists won't be able to go along the pedestrianised section. It's currently a dangerous road to cycle down with pedestrians constantly stepping out into the road anyway because the pavements are too busy so there was never going to be a safe way of allowing bikes onto a fully pedestrianised road. I just hope the rerouted streets have at least some cycle provision.

Sean | 22.11.25 - 11:48 a.m. | #

Henrietta Place appears to be very close to Bond Street station, especially the northern entrance.

kev | 22.11.25 - 12:29 p.m. | #

Well, that scuppers all those "Best bus to see London's Christmas Lights From" posts!

Cornish Cockney | 22.11.25 - 1:17 p.m. | #

Worth noting that the scramble crossing at Oxford Circus was going to be going anyway as Westminster Council's original plans included banning turns at the junction and getting rid of the X to simply the traffic light phases.

The 94s drastic cutback is also likely to do with the Crown Estate and the Council's separate plans around Piccadilly Circus which would eliminate its stand there among other things.

Shame the stops on Henrietta Place won't be at the John Lewis back door, especially the westbound one which is quite far west. On the bus stops, bus stands map there's also a single additional westbound stop on Margaret Street just after the junction with Regent Street but very unclear if anything will serve it and whether it's a mistaken addition.

The Orchard Street part is likely to be painfully long. On the contrary, the Great Portland Street twiddle as you call it will likely be quite a bit quicker. Until the Council's initial plans started reconfiguring the one way streets, the 73 used to depart from the John Lewis side door on Holles Street via Cavendish Square, Cavendish Place, Mortimer Street and down Great Portland Street. Despite the big loop, it often was quicker than sitting in traffic approaching Oxford Circus from the west as it has to do now.

One big difference between this consultation and the previous attempt is the lack of information on the frequency of the retained routes. Whilst TfL were quite intent on reassuring us that the enhanced 390 frequency and frequent 139 back in the day were good substitutes, no assurance here that any of the 3 remaining routes will get any extra support. On the contrary, the 390 and 139 had their frequency cut quite recently.

Bond Street already arguably has no bus stop serving it! It is non stop on the bus between Selfridges and John Lewis (despite often hitting the lights at West One anyway). If anything, the new 22 terminus on Hanover Street (if boarding and alighting is allowed -- which it was in the Council's previous plans) would be closer than buses stop today -- albeit being the Crossrail entrance.

matthieu1221 | 22.11.25 - 2:19 p.m. | #

Can't wait for this to happen. It's a shame that it doesn't extend all the way down to TCR though - I'd argue that the Eastern section is on the up after a period of redevelopment in the last few years.

Bond Street is the 9th busiest station *because* people are going to the shopping areas of Oxford St and Bond St. How many are then transferring to a bus? Not many, I'd wager.

tomb | 22.11.25 - 2:52 p.m. | #

PoP, maybe 190m but definitely not 100m.

Brian | 22.11.25 - 3:02 p.m. | #

Christian Wolmar really hasn't got enough credit for the impact that his 2016 mayoral run has had on Khan's transport policies.

Khan was persuaded by Wolmar to introduce the Hopper fare, and now it's arguably his most popular action as mayor. His transport platform included expanding ULEZ to all of greater London and reforming the Congestion Charge. He also advocated for the pedestrianisation of the Strand at Aldwych, and, of course, Oxford Street. Better late than never, I guess.

TW | 22.11.25 - 3:05 p.m. | #

As Camden have just published plans to pedestrianise New Oxford Street, Great Russell Street and a swathe of other streets, too, before long it’ll be almost impossible to travel from Marble Arch to Holborn other than walking or by tube. Eviscerating surface transport in central London may be great for shoppers and tourists, but it does nothing for disabled/elderly people or those who may not be sufficiently ambulant. (In my view, it also drains life and vibrancy from a city, but this is probably a minority view. I’ve recently been in Lyon — obviously much smaller than London, but still a city — and much of its pedestrianised, car-free, centre is a dead space at night.)

Labourer | 22.11.25 - 6:57 p.m. | #

Totally barmy. Fine for disabled people once they get to Oxford Street, but how are they going to get there in the first place.

John Rimmer | 22.11.25 - 7:26 p.m. | #

We're not incapable, John.

'A disabled person' | 22.11.25 - 10:24 p.m. | #

I may not count as a disabled person, but following a back injury walk with a stick. Until then, I walked happily all round London (if not quite at DG level) but now am very conscious of the problems for anyone who walks with some difficulty, needs to rest regularly and finds steps (or even escalators) a previously unsuspected challenge. Closing vehicle access to a swathe of central London effectively makes it a no-go area for me and, I suspect, a raft of others. Disability takes many forms, and, no “we’re not incapable”, but making life harder rather than easier is not a friendly move by TfL or the Mayor.

Labourer | 23.11.25 - 12:52 p.m. | #

And it is a truism that if you consider the less able (in any situation) you often wind up with a solution that is better for the abled, as well, which is always worth having.

MilesT | 24.11.25 - 1:31 p.m. | #

Awful idea, being awfully implemented, by an awful business unit of the Mayoral Offices. Just shambolic.

Jordan D | 24.11.25 - 1:46 p.m. | #

It's been a while since I last visited London (pre-congestion fee). For those who still insist on driving in, how is parking there now?

dg writes: depends where they're going

Christopher | 24.11.25 - 6:53 p.m. | #

I'm glad this is finally happening. Much better for pedestrians, it's cant all be about bus users.

Andy | 24.11.25 - 7:39 p.m. | #

Bus and tube users who want to shop in Oxford street become pedestrians, but in some cases will need to walk longer than currently. Bus users who lose single seat travel opportunities also forced to become pedestrians en-route.

MilesT | 25.11.25 - 4:20 p.m. | #











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