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Within the basic election of 2024, the brand new Labour authorities below Sir Keir Starmer gave London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan the ability to take management of Oxford Avenue, a accountability that beforehand lay with Westminster Metropolis Council.
Mr Khan has laid out plans to show Oxford Avenue right into a pedestrianised zone, with the purpose of creating it much less busy and extra interesting to each locals and vacationers, and is asking the general public for his or her opinions.
“Oxford Avenue has been often called the nation’s excessive avenue however the space has suffered lately,” mentioned Mr Khan. “My proposals are designed to unlock the true potential of Oxford Avenue and ship a world-class, accessible, clear avenue.
“These proposals would assist to revive this well-known a part of the capital and assist good companies, whereas creating new jobs and boosting progress.”
It wouldn’t be the primary time that Oxford Avenue has been pedestrianised, though it will be the primary everlasting change.
Visitors-free days, styled as ‘Very Essential Pedestrian’ (VIP) days, had been first launched to the bustling retail street in 2005, and held yearly till 2012.
Learn on for an in-depth take a look at what this might imply for Oxford Avenue and what folks suppose to this point.
What would the potential pedestrianisation of Oxford Avenue contain?
Mr Khan has not made detailed plans concerning the potential pedestrianisation obtainable to the general public but, together with his workplace saying solely: “The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has set out daring proposals to rework Oxford Avenue, together with turning the street right into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a gorgeous public house.
“The plans backed by the brand new authorities would guarantee Oxford Avenue turns into a driver of London’s financial prosperity for many years to come back.”
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan
PA
The mayoral workplace additionally famous that Mr Khan has beforehand tried to make modifications to Oxford Avenue and the present plans are solely potential as “the brand new Authorities [takes] a
partnership strategy to working with cities and mayors”.
There’s no indication of when particular plans shall be shared or when any potential work would begin, in the event that they went forward.
The shortage of clear particulars has led to some criticism from Westminster Metropolis Council, with considerations raised concerning the lack of discover of the announcement and the disruption to present plans.
“Westminster Metropolis Council has spent the final two years working carefully with companies and resident teams to develop detailed proposals to revamp and enhance Oxford Avenue,” mentioned the council’s chief govt, Stuart Love. “These plans are shovel-ready, have had the assist of shops and the area people, and had been supposed to ship important financial progress while additionally securing a profitable future for our thriving neighbourhoods within the West Finish.
“It is going to be necessary to obtain additional particulars about what’s deliberate, together with how lengthy it may take to be delivered and the way the considerations of native residents and customers of the road shall be addressed. We’ll wish to understand how they are going to profit from any proposals, significantly given the sensible challenges pedestrianisation might have for the broader space.”
Such considerations have been echoed by London cab drivers, with one cabbie telling BBC London that pedestrianisation could be a “nightmare for drivers”.
“Being a cab driver for 26 years this 12 months, Khan is simply shutting down London,” she mentioned. “He is not fascinated by disabled folks or anyone that simply desires to get in a cab to get residence.
“From a cab driver’s viewpoint, it is very adverse. From a pedestrian’s viewpoint, it is a win, as a result of it is secure.”
That’s to not say that every one the suggestions has been adverse, nevertheless. Dee Corsi, chief govt at New West Finish Firm, a partnership of companies and property homeowners throughout the West Finish, praised the plans, saying: “We’ve lengthy championed the regeneration of Oxford Avenue, recognising its very important significance to London and the UK financial system.
“The launch of the general public session marks a big milestone within the journey of the nation’s excessive avenue.”
The general public session is open now for folks to have their say within the plans, operating till Could 2, 2025.
You may full the survey at this hyperlink or ship your ideas instantly through e mail to [email protected] , by telephone on 020 3054 6037 (ensuring to depart your identify, contact quantity, and quoting ‘Oxford Avenue’ for a name again) or writing to FREEPOST TFL HAVE YOUR SAY (Oxford Avenue), with no postage stamp required.
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