Cyclists and e-bike riders brazenly ignore Sadiq Khan’s ‘pedestrian-only’ Oxford Street just hours after ban begins
CYCLISTS have been seen brazenly ignoring Sadiq Khan’s ‘pedestrian-only’ zone on Oxford Street just hours after the ban came into force.
As of today a one-kilometre stretch of the world-famous London street is now free from cars and buses prior to being fully pedestrianised.
The entire section between Selfridges near the Marble Arch end and Great Portland Street (including Oxford Circus) is the first to be impacted – with the festive period just around the corner.
Transport for London (TFL) has confirmed that e-bikes, pedal bikes, and e-scooters will no longer be allowed to go through the area but instead will be funnelled to surrounding routes.
However, cyclists were filmed whizzing through the green bollards installed just last night and designed to stop traffic.
A team of security guards was seen trying to wave down commuters, delivery drivers and e-bike renters and get them to dismount.
One member of the public said it was “absolutely pandemonium” last night as buses kept coming up to the new obstructive bollards.
The road will be closed to all traffic between 7am and midnight every day of the week.
Exceptions have been made for deliveries, which can be made from midnight to 7am, and for emergency vehicles – which retain access at all times.
But many Londoners have bemoaned the fact that the surrounding area will be gridlocked due to the changes.
As the busy festive period gets underway, others have voiced their concerns over how shoppers will carry their hauls in the lead up to Christmas.
One local councillor described the plan as a “disaster for local people” – and accused London Mayor Sadiq Khan of pushing it through to meet an “arbitrary deadline”.
Cllr Tim Barnes, Westminster City Council Deputy Leader, said: “We’re extremely disappointed that MHCLG have ignored legitimate concerns about the impact this scheme will have on central London.
“London deserves a world class shopping district but I’m worried we’re heading for an unmanaged mess.”
He added: “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.”
It comes after it was revealed that Christmas shoppers heading down Britain’s busiest high street will now be scanned with facial recognition.
The technology is expected to be installed in December, just in time for the busy festive shopping period.
Today’s pedestrianisation of this stretch of road has repeatedly been described as the “first phase” – but it has faced criticism.
Sean Lane, 43, a cabbie for ten years driving down Oxford Street, said he was particularly concerned about disabled passengers and parents with prams.
He told The Times: “It’s gonna create gridlock. I just can’t understand it. You can see how wide the pavements are.
“There’s more than enough room for everybody. Even if you made it one lane, a one-way road, at least we can come along.”
Paul Fisher, a Conservative Westminster councillor, fears for the postcard view of the high street during the Christmas period but also on a year-round basis.
He said: “Why do people go to Oxford Street? They don’t just go to shop, they go for the experience, for the iconic buses and taxis.
“Many tourists shop on Oxford Street because of the iconic view you get … that vision will be lost forever.”
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 re-phased 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) and Holles Street (northbound only).
Private cars have been barred for years but now all motorised traffic, including buses and black cabs, as well as bicycles, will be kept away.
London Mayor Khan has hailed the move as “a truly momentous occasion for the capital“.
The pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been tried for years but remains controversial.
And although the traffic may have been stopped, the initial works scheme is not expected to be completed until spring next year.
The closure is part of a £150m phased plan to revive the area with “mini parks” and more than 50 trees, benches, lighting and public art.
It is hoped the plans will encourage bars and restaurants to move in alongside the shops to create a feel similar to the Rue de Rivoli in Paris or La Rambla in Barcelona.