West End revival Will a traffic ban lure shoppers back to Oxford Street?

From the rooftop of John Lewis's flagship store, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, laid out the changes planned for Oxford Street below: "We want a public realm that is world class, green, healthy and safe but also increases footfall in the shops."

- Gwyn Topham Sarah Butler

Unveiling plans on Wednesday to ban traffic from the capital's famous shopping street, the mayor suggested the West End thoroughfare could be revived to rival Times Square, La Rambla or the Champs-Elysées.

Others around the country are unconvinced about the benefits of pedestrianisation and may be surprised at Khan's faith and persistence in plans that were first aired in 2018. Also surprised were members of Westminster council, which had begun to implement its own £95m improvement plan that retained bus and taxi access along the 1.2-mile thoroughfare.

The now Labour-run council has expressed concern over the sudden announcement and potential imposition of the scheme.