Kilburn Mews finished: 12 railway arches by the station now seek tenants
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Oxford Street shuts to traffic from 26 October as buses move to side streets
Almost a kilometre of Oxford Street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, closes to general traffic, and five daytime bus routes are diverted or shortened.
Key facts
- General traffic is banned from Monday 26 October 2026 between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street
- No buses run through the closed section from the evening of Sunday 25 October
- Diverted routes get new stops on nearby roads such as Wigmore Street, mostly about 200 metres from the closed stretch
- Emergency vehicles keep access at all times, and businesses can be serviced during set overnight hours
Traffic will be banned from almost a kilometre of Oxford Street from Monday 26 October 2026. The closed stretch starts at Orchard Street, by Selfridges, and ends at Great Portland Street, a short walk east of Oxford Circus.
The ban applies to buses and cars at any hour. Taxis and private hire vehicles are also excluded, along with pedicabs. Cycling is not allowed either, and that includes e-bikes and e-scooters. Some vehicles will still get in. Emergency services keep access at all times, and businesses can be serviced by vehicle during designated overnight hours. Arrangements are also being made for essential services. People using mobility scooters can carry on using the street. The eastern end towards Tottenham Court Road is outside this first phase, which stops at Great Portland Street.
Oxford Street bus route changes
Road and bus works begin on Saturday 24 October. From the evening of Sunday 25 October, no buses will run along the closed section. TfL says five daytime routes are affected. Several will be rerouted onto nearby roads. Wigmore Street gets new stops for the diverted services, and Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place will have them as well. Other routes will be cut short, so a number of riders will have to swap buses partway through their trip.
Most replacement stops will be around 200 metres from the closed stretch, which adds a few minutes’ walk. Anyone travelling on the 7 or the 94 may have to change at Marble Arch or a stop close by. Night passengers on the N7 and N113 face the same, as do those on the N137. Overnight, the 24-hour 94 and 139 will stay on their new routes, as will the 390. Other night buses are being diverted or cut back too. TfL is asking passengers to check journeys before setting off and to allow extra time, especially in the first few days.
Crossing traffic can still use Regent Street and Duke Street. Great Portland Street also stays open. Tube and rail services are not affected. Marble Arch and Bond Street stations are close to the closed section, as are Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road.
Why Oxford Street is being pedestrianised now
Sadiq Khan put pedestrianisation in his 2016 mayoral programme. Plans went out to consultation in 2017, then were shelved when Westminster City Council pulled its backing. The mayor revived the idea in September 2024 with a far broader plan for the street. It rests on a new Mayoral Development Area and a development corporation for Oxford Street, giving City Hall a bigger say over the regeneration.
In a consultation in early 2025, 66% of people who answered the pedestrianisation question supported the principle. The mayor signed off the road and traffic changes for the first section on 26 February 2026. Westminster City Council has raised concerns before that traffic pushed off Oxford Street could bring more noise and pollution to nearby roads.
The street will look much the same at first, particularly over Christmas. Temporary measures will let the development corporation and its partners see how the space is used by people on foot and by local businesses, as well as by residents and accessibility groups. Extra seating and planting, plus new public spaces, are expected during 2027. Feedback and data from that period will inform the permanent design.
Key questions
When does Oxford Street close to traffic?
From Monday 26 October 2026. Buses stop running through the closed section from the evening of Sunday 25 October.
Which part of Oxford Street is affected?
Almost a kilometre between Orchard Street, by Selfridges, and Great Portland Street, east of Oxford Circus. The stretch towards Tottenham Court Road is not part of this first phase.
What happens to bus routes?
TfL says five daytime routes are affected. Some are diverted to new stops on nearby roads and others are shortened, so passengers on the 7 or the 94 and some night routes may need to change at Marble Arch or nearby.
Can any vehicles still use the closed section?
Emergency vehicles can at all times, and vehicles servicing businesses are allowed in during set overnight hours. Mobility scooters are permitted, but cycling is not, including on e-bikes and e-scooters.
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