Oxford Street will be pedestrianised as soon as possible, says London mayor
Sadiq Khan has said he will pedestrianise Oxford Street “as quickly as possible”, after two in three respondents to a public consultation backed plans to ban traffic from London’s central shopping area.The mayor’s office said there was “overwhelming public and business support” for the proposals to regenerate the street, whose lustre is slowly returning as department stores muscle back among the sweet and souvenir shops of dubious repute.More than 6,600 businesses, individuals and groups responded to the formal consultation on plans announced last year that included full pedestrianisation of a 0.7-mile strip west from Great Portland Street; improving the area; and allowing street cafes and outdoor events.Khan said: “Oxford Street has suffered over many years, so urgent action is needed to give our nation’s high street a new lease of life.
“It’s clear that the vast majority of Londoners and major businesses back our exciting plans, so I’m pleased to confirm that we will now be moving ahead as quickly as possible.”The Labour government has said it will approve a mayoral development corporation (MDC) to push through plans, after previous attempts to pedestrianise the street were knocked back by Westminster city council.An MDC could now be established in early 2026, including representation from the council, which even now under Labour control has opposed the scheme.Cllr Adam Hug, the leader of the council, said: “While the mayor’s formal decision today was not the council’s preferred outcome, it is far from unexpected, and it is now important for Oxford Street’s future to move forward together.”He added that since 2022 the street had “roared back to life after the pandemic” and said the council would work with Khan to see it “reimagined” in a way that worked for visitors, shoppers and residents.
Oxford Street is already largely restricted to general traffic but is a key route for London buses and taxis.Steve McNamara, the general secretary of the LTDA, which represents black-cab drivers, thought the plans would worsen congestion in the capital.“Putting this traffic down surrounding streets will cause chaos – we’re already Europe’s most congested city, maybe we’ll now get the world title,” he said.Detailed traffic proposals to reroute buses and ban all traffic will be released and consulted on later this year.Khan added: “We want to rejuvenate Oxford Street; establish it as a global leader for shopping, leisure and outdoor events with a world-class, accessible, pedestrianised avenue.
This will help to attract more international visitors, and act as a magnet for new investment and job creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come.”Sign up to Business TodayGet set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morningafter newsletter promotionAngela Rayner, he deputy prime minister, said: “We want to see Oxford Street become the thriving place to be for tourists and Londoners alike, and that’s why we welcome the mayor of London’s bold proposals to achieve that.”The big retailers on the street, including Ikea, which recently opened its a store there, also backed the mayor.The chief executive of Ikea Uk and Ireland, Peter Jelkeby, said the pedestrianisation plan was a positive step that would “create a more welcoming and accessible space – bringing wide-ranging benefits to visitors, shoppers, businesses and the wider community”.The executive director of Selfridges, Meave Wall, said the department store was “hugely energised by the renewed commitment to make this area more enticing and attractive for locals and visitors from around the world”.
The New West End Company, which represents 600 businesses around the area, said the consultation results were an important step forward.
Thunder move one win from franchise’s first NBA title in 46 years after holding off Pacers
The Oklahoma City Thunder moved within one win of the franchise’s first NBA championship in 46 years on Monday night, beating the Indiana Pacers 120–109 in Game 5 of the NBA finals to take a 3-2 series lead.Jalen Williams erupted for a career playoff-high 40 points, MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 31 points and 10 assists, and the Thunder held off a furious Indiana rally to secure a chance at clinching their first title since 1979 in Game 6 on Thursday in Indianapolis.It was the 10th time this postseason that Gilgeous-Alexander and Williams combined for more than 70 points in a game. Williams was 14-of-25 from the field and added six rebounds and four assists, including several key buckets late in the fourth as the Thunder weathered a Pacers push.ScheduleBest-of-seven-games series
Johnny Sexton insists he is ‘here to help’ Finn Russell despite past Lions criticism
Johnny Sexton has insisted he is “here to help” Finn Russell in his capacity as British & Irish Lions assistant coach, after the pair shook hands and cleared the air last month following the former Ireland captain’s previous criticism of the Scotland fly-half.Sexton toured with the Lions in 2013 and 2017 but was a surprise omission from Warren Gatland’s squad in 2021. In his autobiography, the former Ireland captain revealed how the snub “kills me to this day” and described Russell as a “media darling” before suggesting in a subsequent interview that he was “flashy”.Sexton, who retired after the 2023 World Cup, was added in April to Andy Farrell’s coaching staff for the tour of Australia this summer, making for a potentially awkward reunion with Russell, who is the favourite to start at fly-half in the three-Test series against the Wallabies.The pair had a brief catch-up at the first squad get-together last month, however, with Russell explaining recently that the air had been cleared
Dan Evans reproduces form of old to beat Frances Tiafoe at Queen’s Club
Dan Evans opened up the men’s tournament at Queen’s Club with his biggest win for more than two years, toppling Frances Tiafoe – the seventh seed and world No 13 – 7-5, 6-2 to reach the second round.The win was Evans’s first against a top-20 opponent since he defeated Alex de Minaur in the Davis Cup finals in 2023 and a positive step forward after an extremely difficult period in the final stretch of his career.Having spent five consecutive years inside the top 100, Evans is attempting to re-establish himself at the top levels of the game after falling down the rankings in August last year. The 35‑year‑old scaled as high as No 21 less than two years ago but he now sits at No 199 in the ATP rankings. He received a wildcard to compete at Queen’s Club and he will also need a wildcard in order to compete in the main draw at Wimbledon in two weeks’ time
Royal Ascot ready to roll with MPs worried future of racing is ‘on the line’
Hundreds of staff were putting the finishing touches to Ascot racecourse on Monday ahead of the five-day Royal meeting. The champagne is on ice, a variety of crustaceans have been plucked from the seabed and transported to Berkshire and the famous grey horses that lead the royal procession are ready to be harnessed. The most valuable, historic and glamorous show on turf is good to go.So it was a little jarring, to say the least, to spend an hour on Monday lunchtime in the company of assorted heavy-hitters from the racing industry and a pair of racing-friendly MPs from either side of the House, hearing warnings of a “triple whammy of challenges” that, according to a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Racing and Bloodstock which was published on Monday, “present no less than an existential threat to the sport”.John Gosden, who will saddle the hot favourite Field Of Gold in Tuesday’s St James’s Palace Stakes, the feature event on Royal Ascot’s opening day, was among them
The trial that gripped Norway like a soap opera has ripped apart track and field’s most famous family | Sean Ingle
The moment that ripped apart track and field’s most successful and eccentric family came in January 2022, after the 15‑year‑old sister of the Tokyo Olympic 1500m champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen was grounded by her father after school.At that point, Jakob and his brothers Filip and Henrik, were all European, world or Olympic champions, having trained like professionals since before they were teenagers. They were also major TV stars in Norway thanks to the docuseries Team Ingebrigtsen, where they appeared alongside their coach and father, Gjert.Gjert, whose manner could make an army drill sergeant sound touchy-feely, outlined his philosophy early in series one. “I don’t want to be an angry man, I want to be a father,” he said
Spaun deserves his dream but US Open chaos did not get best from world’s elite | Ewan Murray
There should be no sense of demeaning JJ Spaun’s US Open glory if observers question the circumstances. Spaun, not so long ago a journeyman professional, played out his dream by holing out from 65ft on the final green at Oakmont.Spaun is a prime example of how the penny can drop for golfers at different stages. Now 34, he is in the form of his life and bound for the Ryder Cup. When he talked later of being awake at three o’clock on Sunday morning because his young daughter was vomiting, his relatability only grew
Trump claims EU is not yet offering a fair trade deal; Reeves pitches UK as ‘oasis of stability’ – business live
‘Vital’ that British steel gets Trump tariff deal after UK-US trade pact, say unions
Makers of air fryers and smart speakers told to respect users’ right to privacy
Liverpool is crypto capital of UK, survey finds
Royal Ascot 2025 day one updates: news, previews and more – live
The Breakdown | End-of-season rugby union awards: best games, players and more