Londoners asked whether they support Sadiq Khan's plan to seize control of Oxford Street

London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has launched a public consultation on his wish to seize control of Oxford Street. Sir Sadiq is proposing to establish a “mayoral development corporation” to drive the transformation of the nation’s most famous shopping street by taking it out of the control of Westminster council.

This could eventually lead to Oxford Street being part-pedestrianised, though any traffic changes would need Government approval and to be considered in a separate consultation process. As such, the nine-week consultation on establishing a mayoral development corporation is effectively just the start of a process that could take several years – if not more – to complete.

Respondents will also be asked for their views on the principle of removing vehicles from Oxford Street. The council, despite being under Labour leadership, continues to believe that a mayoral development corporation is “not necessary” to deliver change , but says it will “work pragmatically” with the mayor.

Sir Sadiq announced last September that he had received the backing of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to reignite plans to part-pedestrianise the western end of Oxford Street, between Oxford Circus and Selfridges. The eastern end of the street, between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road, will not be pedestrianised - at least in the short term - but will receive “radical improvement” under an agreement with the council.

It has since emerged that he would expect businesses and not London taxpayers to pay the bulk of the cost of any road changes, estimated at £150m. Asked how the project would be funded, a mayoral spokesman told The Standard on Friday: “We are exploring several ways of funding the project including funding from private businesses, developer contributions, and philanthropy, and new revenue streams such as advertising and events.”.

Sir Sadiq aims for Oxford Street to be redesignated as a Transport for London road, though this would require parliamentary approval. Sir Sadiq believes that the Oxford Street area has suffered in recent years due to the pandemic, the growth of online shopping and of out-of-town shopping centres.

He says the creation of a mayoral development corporation could lead to “future plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street” and transform it into an exciting, green and thriving destination for Londoners and tourists alike. The public consultation – which is open from February 28 to May 2 - is about gathering Londoners’ views on the mayor’s proposals to create a mayoral development corporation, which would have powers to support the transformation of the area, and on the principle of pedestrianisation.

However the “footprint” of the development corporation’s area would be limited to “one block on either side of the street” under a bargain struck by the council. Sir Sadiq said: “Oxford Street has been known as the nation’s high street but the area has suffered in recent years.

“My proposals are designed to unlock the true potential of Oxford Street and deliver a world-class, accessible, clean, avenue. These proposals would help to restore this famous part of the capital and support good businesses, while creating new jobs and boosting growth.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on these proposals, which would transform Oxford Street into a place Londoners and the whole of the country can be proud of.”. According to the GLA website’s Oxford Street section: “All proposals including those to pedestrianise the street will be subject to consultation and engagement with residents and businesses, with different options explored and tested before full implementation.”.

According to research by the London Assembly, the establishment of a mayoral development corporation would not provide the mayor with the powers required to close Oxford Street to traffic and pedestrianise the road. This could only be done by a highway authority – which, at present, is Westminster council.

Sir Sadiq has indicated he wants TfL to become the highway authority – though that has yet to be formally agreed, The Standard understands. In the event that Westminster council does not consent to Oxford Street becoming a TfL road, the mayor would require the support of the Government.

Last year Sir Sadiq said that cyclists would be banned from any pedestrianised section of Oxford Street. The mayor is establishing an “Oxford Street office”, with around 15 staff. He is currently advertising for a communications & stakeholder officer, offering an annual salary of £63,112.

Sir Sadiq has been asked by members of the London Assembly to explain how his Oxford Street transformation team will be funded. He has also been asked whether he would be willing to consider introducing a tram on the street as part of the pedestrianisation plans – an idea which dates to 2004, when it was suggested by Ken Livingstone in his time as mayor.