Oxford Street Pedestrianisation — How Will It Actually Work?

Will Oxford Street Pedestrianisation Cause Traffic Chaos? I walk Oxford St and all the roads around it to understand the impact

Oxford Street becomes traffic-free between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street from Monday 26 October 2026. What happens to the buses, taxis and surrounding roads when almost a kilometre of one of London’s busiest streets changes? In this video, I walk the West End to show the affected area and examine Transport for London’s traffic modelling.

We visit Oxford Circus, Great Portland Street, Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, Henrietta Place, Welbeck Street, Wigmore Street, Portman Square, North Audley Street, Upper Brook Street, Marble Arch and Park Lane. Which roads may gain traffic? Where could journeys take longer? And could the pedestrian space be worth the disruption?

TfL forecasts up to three to five additional minutes for some westbound Wigmore Street journeys in the morning peak, while effects vary considerably by road, direction and time. I also look at the diverted buses, explain the particularly striking forecast for Upper Brook Street, and give my own verdict on what the opening weeks could feel like.

TfL used a 2025 traffic baseline to model the network in 2026. The modelled peaks are 08:30–09:30 and 18:00–19:00. Regent Street and several other north–south crossings remain open to traffic; the traffic-free restriction applies to the Oxford Street section itself. Road layouts and bus arrangements can change during the transition, so check TfL’s live advice before travelling.

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