One vision of improvements

WORKS are set to start on a multimillion-pound plan to improve Oxford Street after the city council gave their own scheme the green light.

Two-thirds of people responding to a consultation approved of the £90million upgrade, the council said.

The proposal will see footways widened, adding 40 per cent more space to pavements, seating improved, more trees and foliage planted, clearer signage, and enhanced lighting.

More than 1,600 people were consulted over the summer via in-person events, outreach in local markets and an online questionnaire.

People were asked to share their feedback on the look and accessibility of footways, traffic changes, vehicle access, cycle infrastructure, and signage. Westminster City Council will now move the programme forward.

Cllr Geoff Barraclough, cabinet member for planning and economic development, said: “It’s heartening to see local people and businesses have given their support for our plans to improve Oxford Street and its surrounding areas.

“After a number of schemes have been proposed to develop the district in the past, I am confident that we have an ambitious and deliverable plan in place.”

He added that the results “come off the back of a stellar year on Oxford Street” citing the fall in the number of American candy shops, the return of music retailer HMV and the replacement of the Topshop flagship store with Ikea adding “something different” for shoppers.

In August Ikea said its opening will be delayed by a year until autumn 2024. And the number of vacant shops on the high street increased last year compared with the year before.

The 2023 vacancy rate for the first quarter was 15.6 per cent, up by 1.5 per cent from the same period in 2022.

Cllr Barraclough added: “We look forward to an exciting year ahead, and progressing this work in partnership between the council and New West End Company, the voice of the district’s owners and occupiers. We are well on the way to give the nation’s high street the upgrade it deserves.”

CEO of the New West End Company Dee Corsi said the Oxford Street programme represented “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity”.

Nine per cent of people responding to the consultation said the road should be completely pedestrianised, originally the flagship ambition of mayor Sadiq Khan.

One objector said: “These proposals don’t go far enough. There is a global climate crisis and yet you’re still pandering to taxis and buses. There’s no need for either on Oxford Street. It’s a much nicer experience to shop at Westfield with no traffic or pollution.”

Four per cent of comments mentioned there should be more variety of shops, restaurants and cafés and fewer“American candy stores”.