FN Newsletter 23-04-2025 - Oxford Street
Say "no" to the Mayor of London's Oxford Street transformation
This edition of the FN Newsletter is about responding to the Mayor of London’s plans for Oxford Street, and the public consultation which closes on Friday 2 May 2025.
Below you will find a summary of the proposals and the negative impact it will have on Fitzrovia and my suggested tips for opposing the plans in order of importance.
— Linus Rees, editor
Summary of the consultation, its impact, and how to respond
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan intends to pedestrianise the whole length of Oxford Street, and create a Mayoral Development Area (MDA) within the area on the map above — which includes a large part of Fitzrovia south of Goodge Street and Eastcastle Street.
Under the plans the whole street will be pedestrianised in three stages starting with the section outside Selfridges department store.
The proposals mean motor traffic, including buses and taxis, will be diverted through side streets, possibly along Mortimer Street and Goodge Street. This will have a major negative impact on all streets in Fitzrovia due to the volume of displaced vehicles. The mayor has as yet not provided details about traffic diversions.
The Development Corporation will also have some powers currently under the control of Camden and Westminster councils, including deciding the outcome of planning planning applications. This will favour increased commercial uses in the area and more noise and public nuisance from such activity.
Respond to the public consultation
This is the most important thing to do. To respond to the public consultation you need to register with your email address and fill in the survey here: https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/oxford-street
The survey asks three questions: 1, what are your views on the Mayoral Development Area?; 2, what are your views on the principle of pedestrianising Oxford Street; and 3, what is your postcode?
I suggest you respond with the following answers, but please add whatever else you are concerned about:
1: I strongly object to the creation of the MDA as it will have a negative impact on the neighbourhood of Fitzrovia. It will mean more commercial activity in my neighbourhood. It will take away democratic control and put important decisions into an un-elected board and planning committee.
2: I strongly object to the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as it would mean motor traffic, including buses and taxis, being displaced into the surrounding streets. Fitzrovia, where I live, already has a large amount of through motor traffic. Most people in Fitzrovia do not use private vehicles and instead walk, wheel, cycle and make use of public transport. Diverting Oxford Street traffic through Fitzrovia is unfair on those of us who live here and will make the environment worse for walking, wheeling and cycling. Improving Oxford Street should not be done at the expense of the thousands of people living in the surrounding areas, including the children who attend our schools and nurseries.
3: Put your postcode.
When you click submit your response will be recorded and a copy will be emailed to you.
Write to your local councillors
After you have done that, please write a short email to you local ward councillors telling them you strongly object to the Oxford Street plans. Use what you wrote in the survey and add something about yourself and where you live. Ask them what they are going to do about it and for a response to you.
If you live in the Camden part of Fitzrovia they are the Bloomsbury councillors: sabrina.francis@camden.gov.uk ; adam.harrison@camden.gov.uk ; and rishi.madlani@camden.gov.uk
If you live in the Westminster part of Fitzrovia they are the West End councillors: tbarnes@westminster.gov.uk ; pfisher@westminster.gov.uk ; and plilley@westminster.gov.uk
You must include your full name, address and postcode when writing.
Write to you Greater London Assembly member
Use what you have said to the councillors in an email to your assembly member.
In Camden your Assembly Member is Anne Clarke anne.clarke@london.gov.uk
In Westminster your Assembly Member is James Small-Edwards james.small-edwards@london.gov.uk
You must include your full name, address and postcode when writing.
Write to your MP
In Camden your MP is Keir Starmer: keir.starmer.constituency@parliament.uk
In Westminster your MP is Rachel Blake: rachel.blake.casework@parliament.uk
Tell your MP why this issue is important to you.
You must include your full name, address and postcode when writing to your MP and you must say that your are a constituent of theirs. As Starmer is also the prime minister it is important that you write to his constituency office using the email above.
Background information
The Fitzrovia News has published numerous reports on the Mayor’s plans for Oxford Street since the announcement last September. You can find these here.
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