Mayor accused of 'power grab' over Oxford Street

London's mayor has been accused of a "power grab" over plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street, as the public consultation into the changes is coming to a close.

Sir Sadiq Khan wants to use new planning powers to take control of the central London area away from Westminster City Council in order for the street to be pedestrianised.

The Labour mayor said "urgent action is needed" to boost the area and the new plans would deliver a "world-class, accessible, clean avenue".

But Andrew Boff, chair of the planning and regeneration committee for the London Assembly, said: "I am deeply concerned this is a power grab from the mayor to take away power from local residents."

The Conservative politician added: "I don't know what it is he doesn't like about Westminster Council leadership, but to come up with these plans against a council that is controlled by his own party seems very strange indeed."

Oxford Street is one of the world's busiest shopping areas, with about half a million visitors on average every day.

The mayor wants to pedestrianise the stretch between Marble Arch and Oxford Circus, with potential restrictions introduced further east towards Tottenham Court Road, at an expected cost of about £150m.

Sir Sadiq has previously said he believed the plans would help revive the area, which has suffered the effects of big-name shop closures in recent years such as Debenhams and House of Fraser.

Plans to overhaul the street have proved contentious in recent years.

In 2018, Westminster City Council - then led by the Conservatives - blocked plans to pedestrianise the street, saying they lacked support from residents.

In January last year, a £90m "shovel-ready" plan from the now-Labour council included wider footpaths, more seating and trees, but stopped short of introducing traffic restrictions.

But, following the general election, the new Labour government gave the mayor planning powers to create a a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC), which would allow him to take control of the area from the council.

Reacting to that announcement, the leader of the council, Labour's Adam Hug, said there were "substantial practical challenges".

A consultation on Sir Sadiq's proposals, including the potential establishment of a MDC for the area, was launched in February and finishes on 2 May.

On Wednesday, the London Assembly planning committee, which will decide on whether to oppose a MDC around Oxford Street, heard views from residents who felt excluded.

Tim Lord, from the Soho Society, said: "If there is a plan for pedestrianisation, we need to know how it would work, how it affects congestion, what it would do to the people who rely on the buses and taxis for access and on the businesses, who need Oxford Street for access for their deliveries."

Sir Sadiq hopes that altering the famous shopping street will increase visitor numbers, and "help to restore this famous part of the capital and support good businesses, while creating new jobs and boosting growth".

A spokesperson for Sir Sadiq said: "The mayor has always been clear that Oxford Street is an area of critical national economic importance, contributing billions to London's economy.

"But there is no doubt that it has suffered in recent years and urgent action is needed."

"The mayor is working closely with local businesses, residents and local councils whilst he consults on proposals to pedestrianise Oxford Street.

"He encourages everyone to respond to the public consultation he launched in February by 2 May."

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