Rayner warned Khan’s Oxford Street plan risks traffic chaos

Angela Rayner has been warned that Sir Sadiq Khan’s plan to pedestrianise Oxford Street risks creating chaos in nearby streets.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary has been drawn into a battle between the Mayor of London and Westminster city council about his plans to turn the busy shopping street into a traffic-free boulevard.

Council leaders fear the Mayor is rushing the project through without proper consideration of whether it could create gridlocked roads and noise disruption elsewhere across the West End.

They have raised concerns that the scheme will shift traffic from Oxford Street to surrounding roads.

Tim Barnes, Westminster council’s deputy leader, said: “London deserves a world class shopping district at its centre, and instead we’re headed for an unmanaged mess with noisy, gridlocked roads, poor air quality and waste in the streets.”

Westminster council has written to Ms Rayner demanding a full assessment of the economic effect of the plan.

Mr Barnes said: “Our position on pedestrianisation is simple: if you must [do] it, get it right. A needlessly rushed scheme will be a disaster for residents and worse for business.

“This scheme will have an impact way beyond Oxford Street, affecting bus routes and traffic flow right across the capital.”

The Conservative-led council wrote to Ms Rayner’s officials on Friday after Transport for London (TfL), acting on behalf of the Mayor, sought permission from her department to forgo a full assessment of the project’s potential effect on the area.

TfL made the request after sending Ms Rayner’s team a less detailed decision, deeming that the project did not require a more thorough study. Ms Rayner’s office will make the call on whether it requires a full investigation or not.

Mr Barnes said: “The Mayor is trying to cut corners when it comes to ensuring this plan is safe for Londoners.

“That’s cheating them of the reassurances they are entitled to, and the Government should not let him get away with it.”

The row is the latest chapter in a long-running battle about the future of one of Britain’s most recognised shopping destinations.

Sir Sadiq effectively seized control of the street from the council in 2024 when he set out plans to create a mayoral development area covering Oxford Street, backed by the Labour Government.

The move paved the way for the creation of a development corporation, which was formally established at the start of this year. Mr Barnes and Paul Swaddle, the council leader, are part of its board.