Scovell Estate repairs near completion after weeks without heating in Borough
Southwark Council expects the last 42 homes to be reconnected by the end of 14 October and will set out compensation once the work is complete.
Oxford Street plants died after TfL took over, Westminster councillor says
TfL blames extreme heat and says new planting on the street will stand up better to high temperatures.
Key facts
- Photos on X show dead plants in planters outside John Lewis on Oxford Street
- TfL took over the road, including its planting, in September 2025
- TfL says the planting suffered in extreme heat
- Oxford Street closes to vehicles from 26 October, Orchard Street to Great Portland Street
A senior Westminster councillor says the plants in Oxford Street’s planters were left to die after Transport for London took charge of the road. TfL says extreme heat was to blame.
Photos posted on X show dead greenery in planters outside John Lewis. Responsibility for the street, planting included, moved from Westminster City Council to TfL in September 2025, ahead of the Mayor of London’s plan to make Oxford Street car-free.
What Westminster council says about the Oxford Street plants
Councillor Timothy Barnes, the council’s cabinet member for growth and planning, said keeping the planters watered was the council’s job until a year ago. According to him, the Mayor’s teams took the task on with their other duties but had no contract for anyone to look after the plants, and did not do it themselves either.
He described it as a small issue overall, but “a very visible example of how not being ready can lead to things going wrong”. He argued that pedestrianisation was being rushed and that running a street like Oxford Street means planning for everything from watering to cleaning.
TfL response and the 26 October traffic ban
TfL said Oxford Street’s planting, like other schemes across the capital, had suffered in extreme heat. A spokesperson said the changes would bring a better public realm and new planting that stands up better to high temperatures.
The row comes a day after City Hall announced the date of the Oxford Street traffic ban, when the Mayor accused the council of failing to be “decent custodians” of the road. The Conservative-run council replied that preparations were being rushed and raised concerns about access, air pollution, street cleaning and public safety.
Sadiq Khan has confirmed that vehicles will be banned from almost 1km of the street from 26 October. The car-free section runs between Orchard Street at one end and Great Portland Street at the other.
Key questions
Who is responsible for the plants on Oxford Street?
TfL has been responsible for the road, including its planting, since September 2025. Before that, Westminster City Council looked after them.
Why did the plants on Oxford Street die?
Cllr Timothy Barnes says TfL had no contract to look after them. TfL says the planting suffered in extreme heat.
When does Oxford Street close to traffic?
From 26 October, along almost 1km between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.
Gipsy Hill tenant and her nephew in hospital after council house ceiling gives way again
Venesha Rose says repairs to her Lambeth Council home failed to fix the cause, and she has been raising leaks with the council since 2024.
Ombudsman again criticises HMP Wandsworth over emergency codes after 2021 death
No control room record shows when a code blue was called after Aktar Uddin was found unresponsive in his cell on Christmas Day 2021.
Hammersmith and Fulham weighs council tax rises of up to 150% to fill £160m gap
Under the largest option, a Band D bill would reach £2,522.50 a year before the GLA precept. The council leader says protecting services comes first.