WORK to ban vehicles from a large section of Oxford Street is finally set to start next week.

The Mayor of London’s project is expected to see Orchard Street and Great Portland Street pedestrianised by mid to late October.

Bus routes will be diverted as will delivery and servicing vehicles leading to resident groups’ concerns that neighbourhood streets will become gridlocked with congestion.

There are long-term plans to redesign the famous shopping street over the next year, but it will become traffic-free.

The changes are happening after over a decade of political arguments and disputes between Westminster City Council and London mayor Sadiq, Lord Khan.