Illustration of how the new pedestrianised Oxford Street could look

TRAFFIC will be banned from within a mile of Oxford Street “this summer”, the Mayor of London finally confirmed this week as he mapped out plans to create a new space for “world class events” on the famous shopping street.

Sir Sadiq Khan said he had instructed his team to “work at pace” to pedestrianise the stretch of road between Oxford Circus and Orchard Street.

Critics have slammed the mayor for “pressing on regardless” with the plans despite strong opposition from an influential body of West End neighbourhood groups about the “commercialisation” of the public space.

It was approved only after Sir Sadiq obtained government permission to seize control of planning powers from the street. Cars, buses, taxis and private hire vehicles, and pedicabs will be banned – along with cycles and scooters. There will also be an events space bringing in funds.

The West End Community Network (WECN) – a coalition of leading West End amenity societies acting on behalf of residents in Marylebone, Fitzrovia, Mayfair, Soho, Bloomsbury – has raised strong concerns about the commercialisation of the space.

“Residents are not opposed to change, investment or improve­ment,” a letter to the mayor said.

“They are opposed to a model that removes local control, displaces significant impacts into residential neighbourhoods, reduces accessibility, risks further commercialisation of public space, and excludes sections of the community from full participation in the life of the West End.”

During a trial closure of the western section of Oxford Street on September 21 last year, the group says pedestrian benefit appeared limited, with much of the carriageway allocated to commercial uses.

“There is anxiety that space currently available for free and open public use may increasingly be subject to commercial hire,” the letter added. “Residents would welcome explicit reassurance that the Mayoral Development Corporation does not intend to expand the rentalisation of public space.”

The WECN is a non-political collaboration of major amenity societies across London’s West End, including the Bloomsbury Association, Covent Garden Community Association, Charlotte Street Association, Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Association, Leicester Square Association, Marylebone Association, Mayfair Residents Group, Residents’ Society of Mayfair & St James’s, Soho Society and Seven Dials Trust.

Westminster Council previously agreed its own project in Oxford Street, following a huge backlash from residents groups against the last pedestrianisation scheme.

Leader of the Conservative group at Westminster City Council Paul Swaddle said: “The mayor just isn’t listening. He’s got his plan, he got his vanity project, and he’s just pressing on regardless. So it doesn’t matter if people object – which they did. The consultation was fudged… and people are really concerned here locally.”

The mayor said 2,700 people responded to a public consultation, with the majority of respondents in favour of the pedestrianisation plans.

“Following strong support from Londoners and businesses, I’ve asked the team to move at pace with plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street this summer so we can deliver a vibrant, world-class, accessible destination,” Sir Sadiq said.

“I want this stretch of Oxford Street to be transformed into a pedestrian plaza – a space designed to host world-class events, from sport to culture and fashion, as well as exciting new retail and leisure experiences,” he added.