Look back: a 2017 pedestrianisation idea

WITH days to go before a consultation on the Mayor of London’s Oxford Street pedestrianisation plans, residents’ associations have slammed the proposal on a walkabout with officials.

Representatives from the Marylebone Association, the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum and the Soho Society and members of the London Assembly’s planning and regeneration committee took a tour of the famous high street.

Yoram Blumann, from the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum, said the plan would lead to more congestion on surrounding roads.

“We think the negative impacts of the shift would outweigh the positive impacts. I think everyone including the Greater London Authority were surprised by the mayor’s announcement, even Westminster City Council. He just announced it”, he said.

“The mayor doesn’t really care about the economy of Oxford Street or about the residents. If you want to seek growth, create high-earning jobs in the area.”

Michael Bolt, from the Marylebone Association, feared the MDC, mayoral development corporation, an entity being proposed to run the project, had little to no accountability to residents.

He said: “You must remember residents have been dealing with this for the last eight years.

“The displacement of it all will cause harm to residents and cause traffic problems.

“It will turn Oxford Street into a piazza-like square. What’s the advantage to shoppers by removing transport links?”

Caroline Russell, leader of the London Assembly Green Party group, said the lack of details in Sir Sadiq Khan’s plans had created panic among residents. She said: “It’s fears more than facts at the moment.

“This is supposed to be London’s biggest high street but it’s full of clone shops and traffic but it could be so much nicer to visit.

Caroline Russell

“The mayor could be supporting small businesses, independent shops, and cultural activity, making Oxford Street a place that more people want to visit. At the moment there is little to no information on what the mayor plans to do.”

Committee chair, Conservative Andrew Boff, said he plans to vote against the establishment of an MDC, and added that the mayor needed to clarify his plans for Oxford Street before establishing the authority.

He said: “I think the committee would want to ensure residents are not locked out of future discussions.

“If you don’t live in London then pedestrianisation seems so easy and simple. But it’s not. People live here. You need to consider deliveries and safety.”

In his capacity as an Assembly Member, Mr Boff said the MDC was a “power grab”.

He said: “Obviously there is something wrong with Westminster city’s plans, which is quite extraordinary because the Labour Party has control of Westminster City Council and the mayor doesn’t seem to trust his party colleagues to come up with good plans for residents.

Labour Assembly Member James Small-Edwards was approached but declined to comment.

The public has until May 2 to have their say on the mayor’s proposal that City Hall sees as a chance to breathe new life into the high street.

Oxford Street is seen as an area of critical importance for the country’s economy and is estimated to have brought in £25billion to the economy in 2022.

Sir Sadiq’s proposal for the creation of an MDC, would give the body its own planning powers and be able to overrule the city council, which currently manages Oxford Street.

The body would consist of at least one elected representative and businesses from each of the local authorities that fall within its boundaries.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London said: “The mayor has always been clear that Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, contributing billions to London’s economy.

“But there is no doubt that it has suffered in recent years due to a combination of the pandemic, the growth of online shopping and other factors, and urgent action is needed to give Oxford Street a new lease of life.

“That’s why a revitalised Oxford Street would increase visitor numbers, create new jobs, and boost retail and growth for London and the rest of the UK.”