Is pedestrianisation right for Oxford Street?

[@CityEd.]

Sorry about the left-hand audio guys! I’ll check to see where I went wrong and rectify it in future. One day I will nail basic sound design I promise!!

[@mdhazeldine]

You should probably re-do and reupload it. I couldn't last more than 60 seconds as I have headphones in.

[@Marczking]

@@mdhazeldine Sure, it's slightly annoying. But also, sound quality is fine, and the video is good, so I enjoyed the video despite this. I don't think he'd need to re-upload it just because of this, imo. If you'd want to fix it, just mirror the left output to the right in your own settings (with headphones), little effort, but solves it just the same. I'll check his other videos as this one was nice, if it's a consistent issue, it'd be a different story...

[@kittyj55]

My headphones only work on the left side, so I didn't mind. 😉

[@Chevy-jordan]

You probably recorded audio in MONO and put it in your editing timeline, with the timeline set to STEREO not MONO. Could be something else, but this is something I’ve often noticed students do.

[@Acquittal]

Thanks a lot, my left ear now likes the idea of a pedestrianised street, but now my right ear has gone rogue and declared their vow to personally destroy any ideas of pedestrianisation, including their supporters. Including my left ear. Now my left ear is dead and I can’t hear the video at all. It won’t be long until my right ear assumes control of the UK and imposes non-stop traffic across the whole of the UK. I think it even wants to ban walking in shops, and drive throughs are the only legal way to shop.

[@harrysmith3606]

I've lived in London all my life and I avoid Oxford Street like the plague because the pavements are so crowded with tourists that I end up having to walk in the road anyway. It's LONG overdue being pedestrianised. I agree with you though that improvements to the surrounding streets would be necessary to prevent those becoming clogged with traffic.

[@Zabzim]

Well whatever happens we can all but guarantee that’s going to be a complete mess. Since the artist impression portray it as a wonderful green space which oblivious towards what a pedestrianised space is.

[@plasticpalace]

Pedestrianization would just induce demand for more tourists.

[@andyk5572]

My left ear liked this video

[@CityEd.]

damn this is so annoying! Really sorry - will check to see where this went wrong and rectify in future. Cheers for watching and thanks for pointing this out

[@kerrmapolice]

​@@CityEd. If you set the audio channel with your voice in it to mono instead of stereo it should work!

[@abbymitchell5948]

Bizarre when i only had my right bud in it was fine, but turning of the left one i could just stop the talking (wireless buds)

[@sudanesechamp02]

😂 watching this in my car and the sound just coming from my left.

[@PaulJaYmes]

Old Compton Street was pedestrianised during the pandemic with outside seating all along, it worked very well and totally disappointing it wasn't permanent

[@djlondon7956]

Absolutely 💯

[@Caerdan]

Great video Ed. Personally I think its a no-brainer pedestrianising Oxford Street.

[@WilliamThePayne]

Cities are for people, not cars. Anything that reduces their numbers in London is a good thing. I feel like a good chunk of the traffic in central London doesn't really need to be there.

[@oopsallluke]

I’d like way more green than those mockups suggest, just painting the tarmac doesn’t do enough to breathe life into the street

[@freppers2666]

I agree. Also the trees in one of the mock ups were in containers. Would be so much better in the ground so they could grow bigger and not be at risk if the containers broke

[@lazrseagull54]

Trees, cobblestones/mosaics, large water features and picnic benches would be nice.

[@grams969]

A lot of stores on Oxford street do not have rear loading bays, these stores take in deliveries via their front entrance. I’m guessing Oxford street will have bollards that open at night for deliveries.

[@CityEd.]

Agree the renders are a bit naff really. They’re taken from the previous proposal so I’m hoping we see some updated renders soon.

[@AnnaAlexandra_]

Great video! I'd love to see Oxford Street pedestrianised. The pavements are way too crowded right now and I try to avoid going there in general.

[@allessfyrdikaz1482]

True, I avoid Oxford street everytime i visit London!

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

It should be pedestrianised. As someone who lives in London, this is well overdue.

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

But that should mean no bikes too. Cyclists in London are just the worst.

[@InquisitiveBaldMan]

Vehicles should not be driving down a shopping street. Its not the 1970s. Why is London always so far behind?

[@aaronsmith9209]

I am not fully convinced it can work until they show us how they are going to redirect buses without further slowing them down, they are painfully slow in the centre as it is. I would have a bus gate on Oxford Street in at least one direction (probably eastbound to make it easier for people to come in or even alternate the direction of the bus gate at Regent Street), the tube is far from step free at enough stations to really call it accessible for everyone at this stage. Also far too many routes either start at or go through Oxford Street to change all of them and still serve the area effectively. I think your idea of pedestrianising some of the side streets to be more like Carnaby Street is quite sensible. Also can't be just me who thinks the current purposed design for Oxford Street looks really cheap and tacky?

[@deemoran3647]

I'm a local resident of Oxford Street and I can honestly say it needs something like this as it's getting far too crowded to walk down I think the pedestrian space could offer a diverse range of pop up shops restaurants and bars as it could do with it. My current concerns are bus routes as they are preferred to get to work and the added noise levels of drunken people as it's already pretty insane but apart from that I think it would be an interesting thing.

[@AyoHues]

Great vid! Lots of good stuff here. Forget buses - they’re not compatible with this location. It’s quicker to walk from one end to the other than sit on a bus and they simply make it the most polluted air in London. Reroute them and rationalise the routes at the same time. It was convenient many decades ago to route East West journeys using Oxford St but these days longer journeys are quicker by tube & overall journey patterns have changed. Also Passeig de Gracía is a better model than La Rambla which has its own peculiarities. Final point, hearing that the area will be closed to cycling which is a good idea. I cycle and walk in London and the areas are best kept apart where possible.😊

[@ThreeRunHomer]

Pedestrian streets are the natural habitat for restaurants, with outdoor dining of course. Outdoor dining is the secret of success for any urban neighborhood in this age.

[@djlondon7956]

I really hope they can pedestrianise Oxford Street and most of Soho too. But also they MUST find much BETTER solutions to waste disposal avoiding bags of rubbish/trash waiting around on the streets for collection.

[@sssdddkkksss]

Really love your channel and style. I don't think it's relatable to say Oxford Street doesn't feel like it's for Londoners. Like you said there's loads of offices in the area. But one metric that I use that supports your PoV, is free samples and promotions: the City is filled with promoters with free samples of new F&B brands, people handing out flyers for gyms, clothing discounts, etc. Oxford Street has none of that.

[@BCrossing]

My main concern is that a cycle route would be impossible because people just won't be looking both ways before crossing a pedestrianised street

[@JohnnyZenith]

There won't be provision for cycling.

[@BCrossing]

@@JohnnyZenith Predictable

[@davecooper3238]

@@BCrossingCycling in a pedestrian area is not legal.

[@Christian-we6kz]

I love the idea, but the designs look so naff, like some school playground on a cheap budget. I wish the design would match the grandness of its surrounding architecture

[@johnvlasto4002]

I live at the end of Oxford Street. I'd love to see it pedestrianised. It would creat a global destination, it's an inspiring vision. 🌳 🌳 🌳

[@paulies5407]

Marble arch to oxford circus is doable. The other end is a nightmare logistically though as there are no parallel roads that can take up the pressure like there is at the other end.

[@SisterSunny]

This is such a high production quality! I'm definitely subscribing :)

[@CityEd.]

Really appreciate this, thank you!

[@localkauf]

100% agree. Cycling up and down Oxford street for work is totally anxiety inducing

[@lydiamacintyre3729]

when they did it to Norwich city centre in the 90s it was a mixed bag, problematic as traders needed access to Dixons, but it was helpful for people in wheelchairs

[@john_smith1471]

The Elizabeth line has entrances/exits at Hanover Square and Dean Street, but these are barely marked, they are convenient for Oxford street and other tube connections.

[@spinba11]

4:49 what you failed to mention is only the Elizabeth line stations have step free access

[@centaurw8lifting]

Quay Street in Galway, Ireland is open to traffic in the morning for deliveries and then pedestrian only after 10am. That sort of model is a good compromise.

[@Jonny5a]

I think a more hybrid approach could work, pedestrianise most of the East-West alignment of the street itself but keep the North-South side streets connected through it. The final result being more like a series of pedestrian islands, that way buses could drop off on the street at certain intervals like at Regents Street

[@justmeajah]

I didn't know Carnaby st was once a regular street with cars! I think it would be a good example, you don't need to look elsewhere Great video as always, Ed. Happy to see you in the video bringing us the current situation of the street. I think you can do vlogs where you can go around London areas and tell us more about its urban design, similar to your Elephant & Castle video! Thanks to that video I decided to pay a visit there lol

[@CityEd.]

Really appreciate this comment thank you! Feels crazy to me that Carnaby used to allow cars too. It’s such a nice vibe down there too which I think is owed to pedestrianisation. I’ve got my next “Why I like” video in the works - going to another newly-developed part of London and talking about it in a similar way to the Elephant one. Stay tuned!

[@firepit1432]

I like the idea of having the pedestrianised area developed for mixed use, possibly encouraging small pop up bars and cafes along the street to create more of a relaxed evening vibe.

[@hydrogenvshelium6851]

I support the idea of the pedestrianisation, as long as Wigmore street is converted into a bus+cycle only route. Most buses passing through Oxford Street will not have a large detour to run on Wigmore and passengers only need to walk 3 minutes there

[@sullivanmeaghan1341]

another amazing video !! keep up the good work

[@timclifton-wright9659]

I agree with preferring pedestrianisation of side streets in Fitzrovia and Soho down to Shaftesbury Avenue, but I think the road is still in major need of renovation. There is desperate need for a proper cycle route along it (it’s one of the only places in central London that doesn’t have so much as bike boxes at the traffic lights). It would be good to allow buses and taxis (perhaps in one direction only) and wider, more accessible pavements. It could even be a good idea to have full pedestrianisation only on weekends and evenings, because it would be great to have more mixed use and see cafés and restaurants have outdoor seating along the road.

[@benjaminwilson2945]

Interesting. Church street street in Liverpool was pedestrianised in 1974. Nowadays nearly all of the Liverpool One shopping district has been pedestrianised, including Church Street, Lord street, much of Whitechapel, Paradise street, and more. The pedestrianisation of Oxford street sounds like a good idea for me, as it would seem strange that London is one of the few British Cities without at least one pedestrianised high street to accommodate popular venues, and the demand they create. However I'm not from London so others might have arguments against the pedestrianisation that I won'r be aware of.

[@terrycurzon1318]

Great Video Ed, pedestrianisation of Oxford street is inevitable, I like the idea of a tram running full length as originally proposed think that should be looked at. Just hope they refrain from tacky raised planters, mature trees in the ground please and lots of them. Would help OS if London became a true 24 hour city with lots of clubs and bars and F&B’s to keep it vibrant when retail is closed. Thanks for the video Ed much appreciated, keep them coming 👍

[@NR23derek]

Carnaby Street did not start the pedestrianisation movement. That happened in Norwich with London Street in 1968.

[@IgnatBorisenko]

One of the best videos about this change, thanks! 👍

[@olibeets]

I've definitely had the same thought about Soho - maybe Soho Square could be expanded to fill the entire area, with a bold rethinking of the ground floors encouraged to become cafes and restaurants. Having a loop of green walkways with that one corner would make sense with Old Compton Street another especially good candidate for pedestrianization. That said, I'm not sure it would be the worst thing to lose bus accessibility to Oxford Street, as parallel roads in Fitzrovia could be repurposed and ultimately, most people will be coming from much farther and walking an extra block to get to the Oxford street isn't a big deal - especially since whatever streets gets the new bus routes will get some more direct traffic themselves, encouraging dynamism in the businesses of the area. I'd love Oxford street to get something like a high-line, creating extra space so that the street can still accommodate a cycle-lane, and maybe that extra space below can even be used for little stages for busking or multi-purpose pop-up/temporary uses. A walkway would create the benefit of providing natural shelter for part of the street which would provide a brief respite to the brutality of those wetter winters!

[@paulies5407]

A cycle lane in a pedestranised oxford street defeats the purpose. It's either totally pedestrianised or it isn't.

[@olibeets]

​@@paulies5407 Then an elevated cycleway might be a cool way to go, or perhaps even one sunken into the street with glass or metal grill on top so people can still walk over? But a street that wide people are inevitably going to cycle down whether it's "allowed" or not, especially since that street will always have quiet times at night until they solve the central London affordability crisis, and I think urbanism should embrace that a healthy culture can abide pedestrians and cycles sharing a pavement (especially when various methods of pavement design can be used to slow cycles down). I can see the big concern would be preventing electric bikes from rampaging through but in practice the intersections simply need to create a natural sieve against such currents.

[@AngloSaxonVanguard]

It's a great idea and hope it gets approved!. Oxford street is rather dreary and needs softening up with trees, greenery and wider public footpaths. I've walked down the street many times and you have far too many people crammed on to far too narrow public footpaths

[@simongardner3766]

I have never got a bus or taxi to Oxford street. I always walked from a terminus station or got the tube. My biggest fear would be that it would become a magnet for criminal gangs. Pedestrianized high streets usually replace the road with a market, but that would be too long. The statutes and art are just gimmicks that will soon lose their appeal. The best option would be a single lane and cycle route. Focus on making it a bit more upmarket like it used to be.

[@timbounds7190]

Haven't been to Oxford St for a long time, but my memory of it in the old days was a crowded noisy seedy hell! So I think that Pedestrianising it would certainly be a major improvement. Tricky to reroute the buses though, and it would make access for disabled people a bit harder. There again....in most places in the UK, high streets and department stores have gone the way of dinosaurs, so Oxford St probably needs a bigger reinvention to keep it relevant in the future.

[@lordgemini2376]

Another great video, I want them to pedestrianise the west end and other places such as Brick Lane. Anywhere the balance between pedestrians and motorists is lopsided against the cars and in favour of everyone else should be considered

[@shaiyanomamo3705]

Totally agree, Brick Lane really is a no-brainer. I would argue Soho as well.

[@speedstyle.]

Most of Brick Lane is pedestrian-only on evenings and weekends

[@CityEd.]

Completely agree. There are so many “no-brainer” streets in London that could/should be pedestrianised. I’m hoping The Strand Aldwych and Oxford St are the start of something big!

[@357account]

i really like this uk urbanism channel! you should do a comparison of british cities for better urbanism, for example luton/bradford and Chelmsford/cambridge

[@CityEd.]

Thank you that’s lovely to read. Love this suggestion - I was thinking of getting people to suggest UK towns for me to do a video review of so this is kind of similar. I also want to extend my “why I like” videos out to more towns and cities. UK urbanism gets a bad rep but there are gems to be found in every UK town/city so I wanna talk about those.

[@lukecaruana5843]

Great video! Commenting for algorithm!!!

[@MegaPrck]

Would be super useful, I work there and walk along the adjacent roads as Oxford street is a pain in the ass to go down

[@stevemiller7949]

This would be brilliant!!! and inspire governments around the world to do the same thing. Sure hope it happens.😊😊😊😊

[@wraechul5504]

just came across your channel, really love this video! ❤

[@CityEd.]

Thank you and welcome!

[@DGRADE11]

Personally I agree with your opinion that the surrounding areas such as soho could be pedestrianised. This then still allows you to take all forms of transport to the heard of Oxford Circus and keeps the major bus routes flowing through the city

[@paulies5407]

Most of soho is already pedestrianised .

[@DGRADE11]

@@paulies5407 not sure that’s very true? I’m thinking roads like Berwick St & maybe Broadwick St even Poland St all these having great restaurants and clothing stores on them would make it feel more like Carnaby street to wonder about.

[@JohnnyZenith]

Completely negating the point of what the necessary pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will achieve. This KZbinrs conclusion is wrong.

[@JohnSmith-mn6jz]

Pedestrianise. More mixed use: bars, restos, offices, shared office space.

[@markdickson3820]

To compare closing Oxford street to Times Square is patently absurd. New York has many parallel roads that traffic can be rerouted on to, London being so much older doesn’t have that luxury. I honestly don’t care if they restrict Oxford St to pedestrians, I never go there and since normal traffic hasn’t been allowed for years I don’t think it makes much difference. Simply looking at Google maps will tell you that it won’t be easy to reroute the buses though - Selfridges can’t be the only real shop left especially with the depressing M&S and John Lewis buildings, so hopefully whatever they do attracts some better shops.

[@brimbles4999]

honestly like a lot of london it is frustrating when you see 4 or more buses bunched up all together when you KNOW that would be just one tram, i support pedestrianisation but ive kinda come to learn that it, along with bike lanes are generally used as a tool by politicians to avoid doing the actual hardwork like improving public transport options, oxford street i guess isn't as bad for this as it's probably one of the most well connected locations in the country, if not the world, however seeing a serious plan to revitalise tram lines on wide streets like oxford street instead of taking the easy option like pedestrianisation would be great. (but tbh oxford street is an example of how full pedestrinasation is the better option, i more mean in areas where you often see buses bunched up to a crazy amount should be a sign that those streets require upgrading to tram lines, not just painting some shitty bike lanes that offer no protection the cyclists)

[@brimbles4999]

maybe something that could be done is that any time a road needs renovation/changing like this, space should be allocated for where tram rails will go in the future, as just plopping trams along oxford street without further destinations is pointless, BUT as more and more streets become pedestrian friendly, we can see a future project that easily links up these locations with tram line, instead of having to close of roads for 10 or more years, which can then act like an express line for bus routes in the same way the elizabeth line acts like an express line for the central line

[@RM-ih6fk]

Pedestrianisation is always a good idea in retrospect, but its implementation is difficult, in my opinion, because for projects like Oxford street it is a matter of who does one listen to, the residents, or abstract government agencies and schemes who think they know better than the person actually living there. It is a very ethically sensitive topic and needs to be dealt with carefully. At the same time, I have not heard of anyone 'live' on Oxford Street, not Airbnb or hotel, but actually live on Oxford street, so it might be a matter of going against office companies and corporations, and if that is the case Im all for pedestrianisation. The core issue is government overreach into the lived experience of those people who do live on Oxford Street. There also needs to be effective transport rerouting and new legislation for the surrounding roads, for if you just increase congestion on side roads, all arguments about offsetting or minimising traffic on Oxford street goes out the window.

[@garethwilliams976]

There are many for whom anything done by this Mayor will be wrong but this might be a good idea. It frees up a much bigger area for pedestrians and makes crossing the Street easier and safer. Why not ban all traffic but provide a free bus service with multiple stops running continually throughout the day with say 10-20 electric buses serving the shoppers? Perhaps the council members would care to visit Manchester where this is already running.

[@itsthatsebguy93]

The buses will have to go somewhere. This idea is unworkable on that basis alone, there's no capacity on adjacent roads.

[@lostgleammedia]

Needs little free shuttle trams down the middle to get people from one end to the other quickly

[@debbiecarter6430]

Good stuff, thanks

[@john_smith1471]

When I visit London I avoid Oxford street, the overcrowding, dodging oncoming pedestrians, the tacky tat shops, the built in anxiety, it has the least London feel and appearance.

[@821Drifter128]

Hahaha removing my right ear cup seemed to solve the problems 👌🏾😆! Let's get to enjoying the video now

[@CityEd.]

Haha thank you for your patience and for still watching! A bit embarrassing for me but I’ve learnt my lesson for the future

[@lukeeclair7736]

It seems to crucial as a bus/cycle route. I'd prefer to see Westminster Council's improvement plan implemented (wider pavements, standarised widths & materials), block turns between Oxford Street and side streets/Regent Street, etc. It seems like such an obvious candidate tor a tram service.

[@Ejejejahahwhrnrnf]

Simply a great video, I hope everyone subscribes to get this creator the attention he deserves

[@diamonddave2622]

Lots of streets in Tokyo are pedestrianised on a Sunday. Shopping in Ginza is much more pleasant.

[@john_smith1471]

I thought the left only audio and music in the right ear was a new trendy individualistic trademark, then I saw the comments.

[@SucculentMoosey]

I thinks pedestrianising Oxford Street will just create an e-scooter super highway. (Mixed with terrified pedestrians). Smaller roads like carnaby are good because they’re tight enough to deter them, and aren’t on a major route.

[@owenmb984]

Adding a clear bike lane would sort that problem out

[@paulies5407]

@@owenmb984 Then it wouldn't be pedestrianised. Cyclists are a nuisance.

[@imconfused1237]

@@owenmb984 No, it wouldn’t. Self absorbed cyclists are dangerously ignorant of pedestrians.

[@JohnSmith-mn6jz]

Not with more police about

[@JohnnyZenith]

No. You will not be allowed to ride your bike down there. Cyclists will be banned. Khan and his team have already said this is the plan at this time. It is the right one.

[@keefykeef]

Great video, but your narration audio is only in the left channel. Very weird in headphones

[@CityEd.]

Argh, this is annoying. Thanks for pointing it out I’ll check to see where this went wrong and sort it out for future videos!

[@tyronerodgers]

@@CityEd. May as well fix it and re-upload, no? You'll probably get a lot more hits once the plans go through and then get more left ear comments!

[@cantbants]

Worry about shutting down the American Candy Stores, Anti-Social Behaviour and Shoplifters first Sadiq

[@svlagonda7417]

Excellent video.

[@donepearce]

Several bus routes use Oxford Street. It is a wide road and handles buses very well. If it becomes pedestrianised the bus routes will be shuffled sideways into much narrower, largely residential streets. Additionally the pedestrian pavements at the sides are huge - more than wide enough to accommodate pedestrian traffic. Pedestrianising the whole thing is neother necessary nor advisable.

[@robtyman4281]

The way we shop now is completely different from how it was in the 80's and 90's. People aren't shopping in department stores anymore. And nor are they choosing to eat in McDonald's or have a coffee in Starbucks, as they used to do.... between shopping. And people certainly aren't spending three hours walking up and down Oxford Street 'window shopping' - which was a favourite pastime of many people right up until the 00's. People don't have the time! - we all lead busier more hectic lives, where we try to squeeze as much as possible (almost too much) into a day. Who on earth has two hours to spend window shopping now..... even on a Sunday? .... especially given that they've become as busy as Saturdays. And are no longer crowd-free. With our changing shopping habits, and the sharp rise of online shopping - which took off in the 10's; I see the future of Oxford Strret as becoming pedestrianised. I also see shops and department stores being replaced by restaurants and coffee shops - but not more Starbucks/Costa, and McDonald's/Burger King/KFC! Peoples' tastes have grown and this means most want to see more than just the mega names opening up more outlets there. We expect more these days, and have become alot more demanding and discerning. I see good restaurants opening up (perhaps not family run, as rents are so high now); but decent restaurants - not Aberdeen Steakhouse, BK, or Nandoes. For coffee shops - more independent ones with a hipstery vibe (spilling over from nearby Soho, and Fitzrovia). I don't see this as turning O.S into an elite street full of hugely expensive restaurants - but a street where there's more than just the big fast food outlets; and coffee shops that aren't just Starbucks, Costa, or Caffe Nero. We've all moved on from the 90's and 00's. And I think that this would be a very good thing for Oxford Street. It might actually bring people back to the street.... knowing that you can walk in the street and not be breathing in bus or taxi exhaust fumes; and also with its close proximity to Theatreland, meaning you could see a Musical and then go to a nice restaurant in Oxford Street afterwards. Not be forced to go into a McDonald's, because thers no other place to get something to eat at. So yes, the future of Oxford Street is restaurants, bistros, and cafes replacing clothes shops and department stores. Some will bemoan the passing of an era.....but a new era would begin; O.S being the place to eat on, before (or after) seeing a Musical; aswell as being the start of a night out. It will go from being mainly a daytime place to becoming popular all day, and evening. That's got to be a good thing, as our economy desperately needs this right now. In its present guise, Oxford Street is not functioning properly, because peoples' tastes and shopping habits have changed markedly over the last 30 years. Bring on the pedestrianisation! ...and let a new era for O.S begin.

[@imconfused1237]

TLDR

[@rcm926]

The question shouldn't be if Oxford Street should be pedestrianised, it's which streets shouldn't be. The fewer cars in the city the better, and even some of the most famous parts of the city - Piccadilly Circus, Bank, Trafalgar Square, Parliament Square, etc, are all entirely ruined by traffic running right through them, and they would be much better attractions if pedestrianised.

[@scottmcginn2169]

"Oxford Strete is part of London's bus network and has been for centuries." Sorry, what?

[@VeEmCe]

Buses in London go back to 1829!

[@scottmcginn2169]

@@VeEmCe 1829 is less than 200 years ago. Therefore it is not a plural of century, a plural being more than one. See, I can be a corrector online as well :-)

[@tmorganriley]

@@scottmcginn2169 1.95 > 1.0

[@kitludd465]

Pedestrianising the street sounds like it's probably necessary so I guess the real question is how best to accomodate the necessary non pedestrian traffic once it is pedestrianised. Slow trams on the surface would be lovely but wouldn't be very ideal for through traffic currenly on bikes & buses, especially since there isn't a wider tram network to connect to. I don't know how viable the side streets are for high quality bus & cycle lanes but maybe this could be improved by removing cars from more of the surrounding streets and roads? I'm not a Londoner so have no major stake in this but I hope it goes well ☺️

[@malixaron]

where right ear audio?

[@beefosh]

As a cyclist who uses Ox Street daily, I fear how a pedestrianised street will accommodate cyclists and buses using the route. The nearby streets pale as alternatives

[@BCrossing]

You must enjoy the long red lights

[@JohnnyZenith]

You will not be allowed to ride your bike down there. Bikes will be banned.

[@beefosh]

@@BCrossing Love them

[@georgebray196]

Hi, great video! Looking to start an educational channel myself (on another topic area) and was wondering what editing software you use?

[@CityEd.]

Awesome, I use Da Vinci and honestly it’s pretty good and totally free. Totally recommend. Good luck

[@georgebray196]

Amazing thank you :)

[@Moshimulations]

I have a speaker system, and this video was scratching an odd part of my ear lol. Love the video though.

[@EVILBUNNY28]

That concept art is horrendous. We don’t need abstract nonsense, geometric grass patches, and meaningless art. Take inspiration from London’s ornate history, add character to the street. The ostentatious Christmas lights are an iconic example, more designs similar to that throughout the year is the only way the pedestrianisation will be considered successful.

[@JohnnyZenith]

That concept art was a quick mockup done in 2016 or so. It won't look like that.

[@ExplorerGinge]

The docklands cable car is kinda pointless, linking two low population areas which already have good tube connections. Instead it should have been built down Oxford Street, becoming not just a great attraction, but a vital link and extension of any bus routes displaced from the street.

[@theclass357]

It would be better if instead they made it a one way street for buses only which would allow for the widening of the pavement then have the buses going the other way go through picadilly similar with what they did in camden town.

[@ethanp4408]

Great video!

[@svlagonda7417]

It should definitely be pedestrianised or at least turned into a single lane road for buses/taxis (electrified only). They also need to somehow encourage more independent/interesting shops rather than just the big chains and rid of those awful candy stores.

[@jacknakamori3280]

Oxford Street just needs less obstruction. Less traffic lights, barriers along narrower pavements, pick up and drop off points and a few pedestrian footbridges. It's perhaps the last major through-fares from the West side of Soho to East. Single lane traffic was dumb - the best parts of oxford street are where the road is widest! The north and south is a maze of centuries old passageways build for horse carriages - totally unsuitable for busses and heavy traffic. Thankfully, this proposal won't go through any time soon.

[@hilosky]

Yes. It should be an obvious conclusion. Nobody, literally nobody parks to shop on Oxford Street The sidewalks are packed with thousands at all times while the road only sees a handful of buses and taxis

[@vali20vali20vali20]

Destroying cycling and bus routes doesn’t feel right to me. Nor creating a circus in the middle of the road. It’s still a street after all, used to get you from point A to point B, to help you get somewhere. Pedestrianizing it entirely only serves tourists, not Londoners. At least leave a cycle route in there, so it still functions as a street proper, at least for that mode. It’s a direct connection between many important points of interest, and the bicycle can’t be taken on the tube, so what’s there to do, drop cyclists back into even more congested automobile traffic? I understand retail, big developers and landlords pressure the mayor, but maybe it’d be better to do something useful for the hard working people of the city as well…

[@sglenny001]

I would expand more smaller streets rather then the main street tbh

[@sssdddkkksss]

So many people rely on busses. The tube doesn't go everywhere, but the bus network pretty much does!

[@mohibj]

The London Cycling Campaign wants all of the West End pedestrianised.

[@mikeX05X]

Video about pedestrianising Soho please 🙏🏽

[@Dan-cd6hm]

Audio levels are all over the shop here

[@stevejobs1955]

Yeah but would regent street stay the same?

[@smb6995]

Si. Oui. Ja. Tak. Da.

[@danh5637]

Why? Most of the shops on there are crap now. So many of those money laundering American candy shops and souvenir shops. It’s nothing like it used to be.

[@jackiedelvalle]

Don't worry about pedestrianisation. Worry about the boring selection of chain shops you can find in EVERY major city on the planet, selling all the same stuff. Worry about the ripoff 'American Candy' shops - ultra expensive, no pricing to be seen and eerily empty every time you walk past (definitely not a front for money laundering). Worry about getting your phone ripped out of your hand when you least expect it. Worry about the dirt. Pedestrianisation is the absolute LEAST of Ox St's problems. Absolute dump 😂😂😂

[@itzJKB]

My left ear gave its regards !

[@CityEd.]

Ha! One day I will nail audio design I promise

[@itzJKB]

@@CityEd. Haha no worries , I still enjoyed the video as always

[@ChrisLovesThisGame]

If you really want pedestrians at risk then definitely open it to cyclists. Those idiots will be sending people to hospital every hour of the day.

[@fluffyfour]

Just as long as they outlaw those noisy, overpriced, ripoff rickshaws - everywhere! Honestly, though, it would just move the chaos to the streets behind. They are small and busy already. Yet another daft idea, not properly thought out, by an increasingly bizarre man who seems to be ruled by political correctness rather than practicality.

[@MassiveChetBakerFan]

I think it's a great idea.

[@growyourownfreedom2191]

Maybe just make it one way for now?

[@jimjiminy5836]

It’s a great idea.

[@fburton8]

Predestination? I'd say it's inevitable.

[@jainee4507]

Call me crazy but I've never liked the look of pedestrianised streets. I understand the reasoning behind it though.

[@glennb6020]

I always thought Oxford street was better than Bristol