Ads
Published
Apr 25, 2017
Reading time
2 minutes
Download
Download the article
Print
Text size

TFL unveils potential changes for buses and taxis on Oxford Street

Published
Apr 25, 2017

Transport for London has announced that buses, taxis and minicabs could be banned from Oxford Street under plans to pedestrianise the busy shopping street.


The plans are expected to reduce crowding on the busy shopping street Oxford Street - Oxford Street


The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan unveiled in July last year his commitment to transform Oxford Street by making it traffic-free by 2020. The plans are expected to reduce crowding, enhance air quality and improve road safety for shoppers.

As part of the initiative, TFL launched on Monday a public consultation into removing traffic from the busiest stretch of Oxford Street: between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus. 

“Oxford Street is already very busy and growth in London’s population and economy will bring even more people to the area,” said Westminster City Council deputy leader Robert Davis, Valerie Shawcross, Deputy Mayor for Transport and TFL Commissioner Mike Brown.

“There are lots of issues.  Pedestrian spaces can get crowded. We recognise there is a road safety problem and air quality in the area is poor.  Significant congestion delays passengers using buses and taxis. Unless we take action now, these issues will worsen as London continues to grow, threatening the success of Oxford Street and the surrounding district.”

41 per cent of trips on Oxford Street are made by bus, while taxis make up almost a third of the traffic on Oxford Street. TFL has already confirmed the number of buses that use Oxford Street will be reduced by around 40% and further changes are being considered for the eight remaining routes using the street.

The government body aims to create a new world-class public space in the heart of London ahead of the launch of the new Elizabeth Line. When it opens in 2018, the high-frequency rail service will increase the number of people arriving by train and the ease with which they can travel to Oxford Street from outside London. 

Copyright © 2024 FashionNetwork.com All rights reserved.