Work on the first phase of the pedestrianisation of central London’s Oxford Street begins this Monday (26 October).
Contractor Conway is managing the scheme for client Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), a new planning authority established by London mayor Sadiq Khan to drive the project forward.
Traffic will be rerouted as part of the transformation of the famous shopping street, which will cover a 1km section either side of Oxford Circus between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, which includes Selfridges.
Testing planting and seating in first phase
Architect East said the scheme was a “dream project”, but added that the work will be phased and tested with users. On its website, the practice said: “… temporary seating will allow us to monitor and assess real-world activity, while trees and plant life will be introduced in pots before being permanently planted in the ground.”
A previous pedestrianisation plan by the mayor in 2018 was blocked by Westminster City Council due to concerns over the impact on neighbouring traffic.
Future phases include a transformation of the wider Oxford Street area up to Tottenham Court Road designed by Hawkins Brown.
The project team on the scheme includes design firms Publica and Gehl, engineer Etude, and transport consultant NRP.
