PEDESTRIANISATION of Oxford Street is to go ahead after the Mayor of London claimed the “vast majority” backed his scheme.

Sir Sadiq Khan, who seized control of the overhaul from Westminster City Council, said the project will move ahead “as quickly as possible”.

With a consultation done and dusted, a target date for January 1 has now been set for passing legislation so that an MDC – mayoral development corporation – can be set up to oversee the scheme.

While the overhaul has been backed by senior Labour politicians and bosses of firms like Selfridges and IKEA, it has caused alarm among residents’ associations in Soho, Marylebone, Mayfair and Fitzrovia.

City council leader, Labour’s Adam Hug, said: “While the mayor’s formal decision was not the city council’s preferred outcome, it is far from unexpected and it is now important for Oxford Street’s future to move forward together.”

Sadiq Khan

He said that since Sir Sadiq stunned Westminster Labour group by announcing his plan to take over the project, the council now believed it would have a “strong voice” on the new MDC.

The city council had been working on its own plans for two years before the mayor elbowed in.

The Soho Society’s Tim Lord – who has been selected to stand for Labour in the council elections next year – told the BBC: “No convincing plan has ever been presented. London is already a very slow city and will get worse.

“The elephant in the room is that Oxford Street’s problems are to do with the quality and attractiveness of the retail offering, which is diminished by rents which are too high and which only ever increase.”

In April, during a walkabout, Yoram Blumann from the Fitzrovia Neighbourhood Forum said the plan would lead to more congestion on surrounding roads.

“We think the negative impacts of the shift would outweigh the positive impacts.

“I think everyone, including the Greater London Authority, were surprised by the mayor’s announcement, even Westminster City Council.

“He just announced it.”

Tim Lord and Adam Hug

Michael Bolt, from the Marylebone Association, had said: “The displacement of it all will cause harm to residents and cause traffic problems. It will turn Oxford Street into a piazza-like square. What’s the advantage to shoppers by removing transport links?”

This week Caroline Russell, a Green Party London Assembly Member, said: “Let’s be clear, this can’t just become a playground for big brands and flashy ads. Oxford Street must feel like it belongs to Londoners, with thriving creative and small businesses and not given over entirely to corporate giants.”

She added: “I’ll be watching the detail closely. Pedestrianisation must work for everyone, with real support for disabled people, safe and convenient cycling routes. and accessible buses that keep London moving.”