Yes, of course Oxford Street should be pedestrianised. But let’s not stop there | Phineas Harper

Sadiq Khan has been trying to pedestrianise the iconic West End shopping district since he first ran to be London mayor in 2016 .

Now he’s trying again, this time asking the government to give him extra powers to push through the plans.

This decade -long power tussle over banning cars from less than a mile of one road isn’t unique to London .

The more roads are pedestrianised or closed to vehicles, the fewer people choose to make unnecessary car journeys.

For now, the best time to go shopping on Oxford Street is during a protest.

When Extinction Rebellion blockaded Oxford Circus with their infamous pink boat in 2019 , crowds of liberated shoppers filled the full width of the road.

If Khan is finally empowered to deliver the promise he made to Londoners in 2016 .