It is one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.
But London’s Oxford Street could look very different in 2026, if Sadiq Khan’s new plans are approved.
The Labour mayor sparked a huge controversy today after the government gave him new powers to impose a £150m pedestrianisation of Oxford Street.
Mr Khan wants work to start within two years to remove all vehicles from the famous shopping street, despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden no-go zone.
So what would a traffic-free Oxford Street look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions.
What would an Oxford Street without traffic look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions
We asked ChatGPT to create an image of a pedestrianised Oxford Street.
Our brief to the bot was simple: “Create an image of what London’s Oxford Street would look like if it were pedestrianised.”
The image from ChatGPT shows a central cobbled street running through the middle of Oxford Street, with cycle lanes on either side.
This central bank and its sidewalks are dotted with trees, chairs and tables, where you can see people enjoying an al fresco dinner.
Mr Khan has also released an artist’s impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street might look like.
Mr Khan has also released an artist’s impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street might look like.
The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner says will give the popular shopping district “the boost it needs”.
Survey
Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised?
- Yeah 375 votes
- No 587 votes
Unlike the ChatGPT image, Mr Khan’s image does not show any cyclists; further details on the bike plans are awaited.
The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy First Minister Angela Rayner says will give the popular shopping district “the boost it needs”.
But industry leaders are calling for “strong security measures” to accompany the plans amid fears they could lead to an increase in crimes such as shoplifting and pickpocketing.
There are calls for increased “appropriate policing” and better access to public transport, as late-night revellers and particularly women are likely to be at greater risk from the lack of traffic, given that regular buses and taxis can act as a deterrent to criminal activity.
Another artist’s impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street from plans published in 2017
Oxford Street has suffered a number of big-name brands leaving behind boarded-up shopfronts and a proliferation of tacky American-style sweet shops, but there is hope that it may finally be on the mend with the reopening of HMV and a new Ikea due to open soon.
The plan aims to improve one of the world’s busiest shopping areas for workers, residents, shoppers and tourists in an area that receives around 500,000 visitors a day.
Mr Khan wants to pedestrianise a 0.7 mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with potential for further changes to Tottenham Court Road.
But the redevelopment will require 16 bus routes to be removed or diverted, including the 98 and 390, which run the entire length of Oxford Street.
The mayor hopes to revive plans for a “traffic-free pedestrian avenue” similar to Times Square in New York, the Champs-Élysées in Paris and Las Ramblas in Barcelona.