'Pedestrianised Oxford Street would blight locals with enormous increase in congestion and pollution'

Traffic will be rerouted down narrower roads such as Wigmore Street

Neighbourhood groups representing thousands of West End residents have written to transport bosses warning that their lives will be blighted by “enormous” increases in congestion and pollution if plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street go ahead.

The letter, signed by Michael Bolt, deputy chair of the Marylebone Association on behalf of the West End Community Network, said high levels of poisonous NO2 fumes faced by Oxford Street shoppers “will simply be displaced to those living and working nearby” if the plan proceeds.

Deputy mayor for transport Valerie Shawcross announced in July that all vehicles will be banned on a 1.2-mile stretch from Tottenham Court Road to Bond Street Tube station by 2020.

But locals in Marylebone and Fitzrovia in particular say they are “extremely concerned” that traffic will be rerouted down narrower roads such as Wigmore, Mortimer or Goodge Street.

Locals in Marylebone and Fitzrovia in particular say they are “extremely concerned”

The letter states: “Oxford Street, the A40, has acted as one of London’s major east-west conduits since the 18th century. Even if bus services are substantially reduced the number of taxis, buses and commercial vehicles displaced will be enormous and beyond the capacity of already crowded local roads without significant additional congestion. This will generate at least as much pollution as at present, just in slightly different areas.”

The letter from the WECN, which represents 10 residents’ associations, was sent to Transport for London as part of its consultation on Sadiq Khan’s proposals for improving air quality. Most traffic diverted from Oxford Street would be forced north into Marylebone and Mayfair. Soho to the south has much narrower streets but Mayfair’s southern half could also be affected.

Residents say that when Oxford Street is shut to traffic for pedestrian-friendly shopping days it gives a foretaste of future congestion, with long lines of buses struggling through roads not designed to cope with heavy traffic.

Fitzrovia resident Tony Travers, director of research centre LSE London, said: “It seems legitimate for people living in areas like Fitzrovia with very low levels of car ownership to feel it is unreasonable if their congestion and pollution goes up.”

Alex Williams, acting managing director of planning for TfL, said: “Making Oxford Street traffic-free is one of many schemes in central London that aim to improve road safety and reduce pollution. This includes zero-emission capable taxis next year, a 40 per cent reduction in buses on Oxford Street, and the Ultra Low Emission Zone, potentially in 2019. The Elizabeth line will be opening in 2018.”

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