This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-36791485

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Oxford Street to be pedestrianised by 2020 Oxford Street to be pedestrianised by 2020
(about 2 hours later)
Oxford Street will be pedestrianised by 2020, the Mayor of London's office has announced. Oxford Street will be pedestrianised by 2020, the mayor of London's office has said.
All traffic including buses and taxis will be banned from the shopping street - one of the most famous in the world - as part of the mayor's plans to tackle air pollution. All traffic including buses and taxis will be banned from the shopping street - one of the most famous in the world - as part of Sadiq Khan's plans to tackle air pollution.
More than 4 million people visit Oxford Street each week. More than four million people visit Oxford Street each week.
City Hall said the project would be rolled out in two stages to reduce disruption on the 1.2-mile street.City Hall said the project would be rolled out in two stages to reduce disruption on the 1.2-mile street.
Cars are already banned on most of Oxford Street between 07:00 and 19:00 every day apart from Sunday.Cars are already banned on most of Oxford Street between 07:00 and 19:00 every day apart from Sunday.
'Iconic street' 'Far safer'
Valerie Shawcross, London's deputy mayor for transport, told the London Assembly on Wednesday that the plan was to ban all traffic along Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road as far as Marble Arch.Valerie Shawcross, London's deputy mayor for transport, told the London Assembly on Wednesday that the plan was to ban all traffic along Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road as far as Marble Arch.
The ban will first be implemented on the eastern section, between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus, she said.The ban will first be implemented on the eastern section, between Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus, she said.
A spokesman for the mayor said: "Sadiq has made the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street a priority as it will contribute to his aim of improving air quality, and it will also make it a far safer and more pleasant place to visit. A spokesman said the project would contribute to the mayor's aim of improving air quality and make Oxford Street "a far safer and more pleasant place to visit".
"Pedestrianising Oxford Street from Tottenham Court Road through to Marble Arch will require a phased programme of work that will take several years, as it will need a great deal of co-ordination and a close working relationship with Westminster as well as local businesses and residents. London's first elected mayor, Ken Livingstone, introduced pedestrian-only Christmas shopping days on Oxford Street in 2005.
"But London deserves an iconic pedestrianised shopping street, and when work is complete the Mayor believes it will be a truly world beating environment." Traffic-free shopping days have been a feature on both Oxford Street and Regent Street ever since.
It is not the first time that the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been proposed. The fastest bus journey along the length of Oxford Street is estimated at 4.6mph on weekdays, compared to the walking pace of the average pedestrian at 3.1mph.
City Hall considered plans under the leadership of London's first elected mayor Ken Livingstone. Ms Shawcross said buses would be re-routed around Oxford Street, but did not give details of planned routes.
Mr Livingstone introduced pedestrian only Christmas shopping days on Oxford Street in 2005. Siwan Puw, policy manager at the London Chambers of Commerce, said: "The huge increase in footfall will require clear planning to maximise pedestrian safety and minimise disruption to businesses.
Traffic free shopping days have been a feature on both Oxford Street and Regent Street ever since. "Doing it in stages certainly has its advantages in that it means trading will continue more easily and any issues can be ironed out as we go along."
The fastest bus journey along the length of Oxford Street is estimated at 4.6mph on weekdays, compared to the medium walking pace of the average pedestrian at 3.1mph.
Ms Shawcross said buses would be re-routed around Oxford Street but did not give details of planned routes.