Council abandons plans for Oxford Street pedestrianisation judicial review

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan ordered the pedestrianisation to be in place by the end of the summer, after he approved the plans in February.

However, upon winning control of the city council this month, the incoming Conservative administration vowed to "use every lever available" to prevent the project, including setting up a legal fund.

At the time, the council's new leader, Paul Swaddle, said his administration would "fight to protect the bus routes that less mobile people depend on to reach Oxford Street, ensuring no routes are removed until step-free access is guaranteed at Oxford Circus".

But in a statement issued on Friday (29 May), a council spokesperson said that legal advice suggested a judicial review "would be unlikely to succeed and that submitting a late claim for judicial review would result in refusal".

The statement added: "This is not the end of the road and the council is considering all other legal and procedural options.

“Council leader Paul Swaddle has written to the Mayor of London requesting a meeting so that he can address our concerns and ensure better outcomes for our residents and businesses."

A statement from the Westminster Conservative Group meanwhile noted that the advice had said a legal challenge "should have been lodged months ago".

Cllr Swaddle said: "We will fight for the disabled and elderly residents who depend on direct buses. We will fight for the businesses and workers who make this street one of the great commercial heartlands of London. And we will fight for the residents who were shut out of decisions about their own high street.

"My offer to the Mayor stands. Sit down with me. Let us find a plan that actually delivers for Oxford Street. The door is open, but Westminster will not be ignored."

Adam Carey