Charities call for Oxford Street to be accessible to all

Six leading charitable organisations have joined together to write to Mayor of London asking Sadiq Khan to commit to making Oxford Street the most accessible street in the UK.

Transport for London and Westminster City Council will launch the design consultation for the future of Oxford Street imminently.

Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has campaigned for the street to be pedestrianised. It has co-authored the letter along with Age UK London, Campaign for Better Transport, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), Sustrans and Transport for All.

The letter reads: “Oxford Street is already hugely popular but current conditions make it a no-go area for many. The opening of the Elizabeth Line in 2018 will bring hundreds of thousands more people to the area every day. But without careful design, it could remain closed for many disabled and older people.

“We strongly support a world-class public space on Oxford Street for people living and working close by, and for the many thousands of visitors, to enjoy.  But our ambitions shouldn't stop there. Oxford Street should be a beacon of inclusivity and openness in the heart of our great city.” 

The letter was accompanied the charities’ shared vision for an open and accessible Oxford Street, including: a short range transport solution for people with mobility impairments; taxi ranks and Blue Badge parking bays within fifty metres of the street; and bus stops within an accessible distance.

There were 12,000 responses to the first phase of the consultation on the future of Oxford Street, with 62% saying they support its transformation. This second phase will look at the design detail with Living Streets planning to issue a response to the consultation once it’s been launched.  

To read the letter in full click here