Pedestrians take over part of London's Oxford Street as new traffic ban takes effect

Summary

Part of London's Oxford Street has been handed over to pedestrians as a new traffic ban comes into force, with the first stage of the pedestrianisation scheme now under way. The Guardian reports that about a kilometre of the famous street is being closed to traffic for good, under mayor Sadiq Khan's plan. Euronews and Africanews carried the same report on the traffic ban and pedestrians taking over part of the street. The Financial Times says the pedestrian revolution on the UK's leading shopping parade has finally arrived, describing the wider transformation project as controversial.

Timeline

1. Financial Times

   26 Oct 2026, 05:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Financial Times reports that Oxford Street's pedestrian revolution has finally arrived, as the UK's leading shopping parade embarks on a controversial transformation project.

2. Euronews

   26 Oct 2026, 16:29 UTCSource ↗

   Euronews reports that pedestrians have taken over part of London's Oxford Street as a new traffic ban comes into force.

3. Africanews

   26 Oct 2026, 16:29 UTCSource ↗

   Africanews reports that pedestrians have taken over part of London's Oxford Street as a new traffic ban comes into force.

4. The Guardian

   26 Oct 2026, 20:19 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that the first stage of pedestrianisation on London's Oxford Street has begun, with about a kilometre of the street closed to traffic for good under mayor Sadiq Khan's plan.