As Oxford Circus is a key intersection in the West End, this scheme must align with other projects and initiatives that meet at this point. Oxford Circus is being designed separately and with consideration of the Regent Street scheme design.
As an international destination, prominent gateway and one of the busiest and most important junctions in London, Oxford Circus is a key focus of this strategy. The scheme will reduce delays to pedestrians and vehicles and help to improve bus journey times in the Circus and across the area.
The changes to Oxford Circus focus on increasing space for pedestrians to relieve crowding and increase safety for all. The scheme proposes 40% more footway space within the Circus including increased pavement space outside all four underground entrances. This additional pedestrian space is gained by removing traffic islands, central medians and turning movements of vehicles within the Circus.
To help improve pedestrian safety in the Circus and its surrounding area, this proposal will include:
Cyclists will benefit from cycle friendly lane widths and reduced levels of danger owing to the banned turns at Oxford Circus
As all turns will be banned within the Circus, cyclists wishing to turn can do so via nearby alternative routes.
The scheme prohibits all vehicle turning movements at the junction (including people cycling). Therefore, vehicles will only be permitted to proceed straight ahead through the junction. This change will reduce waiting times for vehicles and pedestrians, address congestion, and improve safety for all.
As part of the strategy’s effort to simplify transport networks and create pedestrian-friendly spaces on Oxford Street and the vicinity, this programme proposes adjustments to eight bus routes operating near Oxford Circus. The following bus routes will be adjusted to accommodate the new traffic arrangements around Oxford Circus and create more efficient turnaround routes:
No changes are proposed for the following routes:
Bus stand, loading and parking restrictions will be adjusted to accommodate changes in bus operations.
To learn more about changes to bus operations, please refer to the maps here.
To learn more about parking and loading changes, please see the proposed changes here.
To help improve pedestrian safety in the Circus and its surrounding area, this proposal will include:
Please send questions, concerns or request translation services to the Oxford Street Programme Team at oxfordst@westminster.gov.uk
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As Oxford Circus is a key intersection in the West End, this scheme must align with other projects and initiatives that meet at this point. Oxford Circus is being designed separately and with consideration of the Regent Street scheme design.
Traffic changes are proposed to streets and junctions within the Oxford Circus area in order to facilitate bus movement through the area and to allow the increase in pedestrian space within Oxford Circus.
The administration change in May 2022 triggered a review of the Oxford Street District Programme resulting in a more focused approach to delivering improvements for the Oxford Street area. The proposal targets the challenges that are currently experienced on the street whilst prioritising pedestrians and pedestrian space.
The entrances to Oxford Circus underground station are owned by Transport for London and are out of scope for this Programme.
The existing crowding at Oxford Circus makes the street environment difficult for some road users, particularly during the evening peak period. The proposals addresses crowding by adding more space for pedestrians and reducing waiting times at street crossings.
A raised junction is where the carriageway level is raised up (or near) to pavement level. This makes it easier to cross for many road users as there is no ramp to negotiate. This also helps to control traffic speeds and improve driver behaviour.
The proposal will allow for motor vehicle traffic to be given a longer period for traffic to move through the junction.
Vehicles passing through Oxford Circus junction will no longer be permitted to turn within the junction. The impact of this change is expected to be minimal as most taxis will have a variety of alternative routes to choose. The additional schemes being proposed as part of the Oxford Street Programme will improve traffic operations in the vicinity, resulting in negligible or beneficial impact locally. See the Permitted Movement Plan.
The small number of buses that currently make a turn at Oxford Circus will be accommodated on alternative routes in the area. This change will provide more operational efficiency, reduce distances travelled, reduce journey times, and reduce conflict with other road users. The proposed operation plan will reduce the bus mileage on the streets adjacent to Oxford Circus providing benefit to local streets as well as Regent Street and Oxford Street.
To learn more about changes to bus operations, please refer to the maps here
Advanced Stop Lines (ASLs) are designed to help cyclists pull away in front of traffic and are marked beyond the stop line for general traffic. ASLs are sometimes called a ‘bike box’ or a ‘cycle reservoir’.
A permanent public realm project for Regent Street is now in development by WCC with visioning currently in consultation. Learn more about this work here: The future of Regent Street | Westminster City Council
July & August 2023 - Public Consultation (complete)
Autumn 2023 review
Summer 2025 Traffic Management Order consultation
Winter 2025 Subject to Public Consultation and Cabinet Member approval construction work begins.