Reminder – Oxford Street to go traffic-free from Monday 26 October

The move marks the first phase of Oxford Street’s transformation, supporting the Mayor of London’s vision for a greener, safer street ahead of the busy Christmas shopping period. Residents, businesses and visitors are encouraged to plan ahead, with changes to bus routes, deliveries, taxi access and surrounding roads.

What does traffic-free mean?
Cars, buses, taxis, scooters, pedicabs and bicycles will no longer be permitted along the traffic-free section. Mobility scooters and emergency vehicles will retain access at all times. Servicing vehicles undertaking deliveries and loading will have access to designated pedestrianised sections between midnight and 7am. Limited exemptions outside these hours may be granted, as outlined in the scheme’s delivery and servicing guidance. TfL enforcement officers and security teams will support the new arrangements, while TfL Ambassadors will be on the street during the initial days to help visitors.

Bus changes begin fromSaturday 24 October
Routes 7, N7, 94, N113 and N137 will terminate at Marble Arch. A number of other services will have minor route or bus stop changes. Buses will no longer use the section of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Routes 98, 139, 390, N98 and N207 will be diverted onto surrounding roads, serving new stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place. Temporary changes will also apply between 8pm on Sunday 25 October and 6am on Monday 26 October, while preparations take place and festive lights are installed on Regent Street.

During this period:
55, 73, N55 and N73 will terminate at Tottenham Court Road.
159, N109 and N136 will terminate at Piccadilly Circus.
N8 and N25 will terminate at Holborn.
12 and N15 will terminate at Trafalgar Square.
22 and N22 will terminate at Hyde Park Corner.
Other routes will be diverted away from sections of Oxford Street and Regent Street. Passengers should allow extra time and check their journeys using TfL’s Journey Planner or the TfL Go app.

Road access and deliveries
Traffic will be diverted away from Oxford Street between Portman Street and Winsley Street. Businesses and residents are strongly encouraged to arrange alternative deliveries for that evening. The closure will cover the traffic-free section between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street.

Changes to surrounding roads include:

• A right turn from Orchard Street into Wigmore Street.
• No access to Oxford Street or Gilbert Street from James Street, with vehicles able to leave via Barrett Street.
• Two-way traffic on Gilbert Street between Brook Street and Oxford Street, with no entry from Oxford Street.
• No access to Oxford Street from Binney Street from 8pm on Sunday 25 October. Binney Street will operate two-way between Oxford Street and Weighhouse Street.

A reversal of direction on Great Castle Street between Regent Street and Great Portland Street to accommodate new bus stand arrangements. The John Lewis taxi rank on Henrietta Place has also temporarily moved immediately west of its existing position and the traffic signals to accommodate a bus stop. North–south connections will remain open at Orchard Street/North Audley Street, Duke Street, Stratford Place/Davies Street, Vere Street/New Bond Street, Holles Street/Harewood Place, Regent Street and Great Portland Street.

Planning your visit
Public transport remains the easiest way to reach Oxford Street. Nearby Tube and Elizabeth line stations include Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch, with step-free access available at Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road.
Buses will continue to serve the surrounding area, although routes and stops may change. Taxi and private hire pick-up and drop-off locations may also change, and cycling will not be permitted within the traffic-free section.

What happens next?
Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) and its partners will deliver improvements in phases. Construction activity and works compounds will remain while the wider scheme takes shape, with disruption kept to a minimum and works limited during the Christmas shopping period. New seating, rest areas, trees and signage are planned for the new year. The initial public space improvements will be temporary, allowing OSDC to gather feedback and understand how people use the area before developing permanent designs. Further community feedback events are planned for spring 2027, once the transitional scheme is in place.