Westminster City Council has written to the Government demanding that Transport for London carry out a full environmental impact assessment before proceeding with the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, due to take place this month. 

According to the Standard, TfL has sought permission to forgo the full evaluation, but the council argues that banning traffic from the street will increase noise and pollution on surrounding roads, and that the scheme is being rushed through without the standard checks used to assess the impact of major developments. 

Tim Barnes, Deputy Leader of Westminster City Council, 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… The Mayor is trying to cut corners when it comes to ensuring this plan is safe for Londoners.”

The council has warned that proceeding without properly considering air quality, noise, traffic, waste management and public safety risks would be “a disaster” for residents, businesses and visitors, and has previously criticised the Mayor’s consultation on the changes as a “sham.”

Tim Barnes, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: 

“Our position on pedestrianisation is simple, if you must to 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 Mayor has important questions to answer about managing traffic, noise, impact on air quality or how to clean the roads. The consequences of getting this wrong are potentially terrible for central London. 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.

“The Mayor is trying to cut corners when it comes to ensuring this plan is safe for Londoners.”

(Picture: Mayor of London)