Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan has said pedestrianising Oxford Street will restore it to its “former glory” as he launched a public consultation.
Sir Sadiq challenged claims that pedestrianisation would create a hotspot for muggings and petty theft, saying: “We know from the evidence from other streets that have been pedestrianised that it doesn’t just lead to an increased footfall and businesses doing better, but it leads to a reduction in crime.”.
The mayor said: “We would make sure that we would take safety seriously,” adding: “In other areas we have taken over, like the Olympic Park, we have increased security by having wardens.
But the mayor said: “I care about what residents think, I care about what businesses think, and I care about what other Londoners think.”.
Restrictions already in place mean vehicle access to parts of Oxford Street is limited to taxis and buses between 7am and 7pm, except on Sundays.
