Khan’s Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street Hits Speed Bump As Tory Opposition Grows – Guido Fawkes

Khan’s Pedestrianisation of Oxford Street Hits Speed Bump As Tory Opposition Grows

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Spending rather a lot of time there, Guido is already thinking ahead to 7 May 2026, when Labour’s control of Westminster City Council could come to an end. The Tories lost control of their flagship London council for the first time since 1965 in 2022…

If the Tories do eventually regain control, Sadiq Khan’s plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street will be met with major opposition by the blue bigwigs that are the Westminster Tories. The Tory group on the council has already put forward a motion to hive off £250,000 to fund a legal challenge to Khan’s plans – but it was voted down this week. Better have a whip-round instead…

Conservative group leader Paul Swaddle said:

“The mayor believes this [scheme] is going to be paid for by private investment, with no supporting details, which leaves businesses fearing it’s going to be a raid through business taxes or Crossrail-style levy. The mayor also intends to raid the neighbourhood community infrastructure levy – money that should be spent on local priorities.”

Looks like Khan’s dream of no cars on Oxford Street may yet be scuppered if the Tories can grab the council back again…