City of Westminster News (Parliament Politics Magazine) – A debate over Oxford Street governance erupted into a row as Westminster Council faced criticism for its plan to hand control of the landmark road to the Mayor.
The commotion began when Cllr. Paul Swaddle, the opposition leader on Westminster City Council, charged that the Labour-led government had given the Greater London Authority (GLA) authority of the crowded main street without conducting adequate due diligence.
He brought a petition signed by 500 locals urging the council to “stand up” to Mayor Sadiq Khan, who intends to form a Mayoral Development Corporation to implement his pedestrianization plan and deprive the council of street planning authority.
It follows a report released by the council on Tuesday, September 9, which stated that a decision to re-designate the street would not be subject to a “call-in,” so limiting council members’ capacity to contest the decision.
Questioning the move during a Full Council meeting on Wednesday night (September 10), Cllr Swaddle asked:
“Can the Leader of the council explain why his administration has agreed to fold and hand over control of Oxford Street to the Mayor? He could have stood up for residents. I would have.”
He also claimed the new Transport Secretary hadn’t been asked to block the request. The council has long said it doesn’t have the powers to prevent City Hall from taking over Oxford Street and was instead focused on influencing the Mayor by “proactively” engaging with his plans.
Responding, Council Leader Adam hug said his administration had worked “day-in, day-out” to protect the interests of residents since the Mayor’s announcement last September that he plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street. He also clarified that decisions are classified by officers, and not councillors.
Citing the securing of Community Infrastructure Levy funds, affordable housing agreements and the redevelopment of the eastern side of Oxford Street in line with the council’s wishes, he said:
“I appreciate it’s not where we wanted to start this process, but we are acting like grown-ups on behalf of our residents, on behalf of the long-term interests of the city council rather than going down the route of posturing, which would have achieved very little than more costs for the council and a worse deal for residents.”
He also said the Transport Secretary “rarely” accepted requests to block road re-designations.
Additionally, he stated that there were “miniscule” odds of effectively preventing the mayor from implementing his pedestrianization plans.
Paul Fisher, a Conservative councillor, stated that it was “premature at this stage to lock out councillors from this process” and that the expenses of turning over the street would determine whether a decision was crucial or not.
When he asked Cllr. Max Sullivan, the Cabinet Member for Streets, if he would contest the officers’ classification of the decision as “non-key,” things became heated.
Cllr Sullivan responded:
“It’s non-key. That is a decision for the officers. That is the process. It wouldn’t be right for any members to exert influence on whether or not a decision is key or not.”
This prompted a fiery response from Cllr Fisher, who shouted:
“On its face, it’s wrong. On its face, it’s utterly and objectively wrong.”
Cllr Sullivan said he did not recognise the councillor’s characterisation.
‘Arrange-in’ options are not available for non-key decisions, therefore council members cannot arrange a public meeting to discuss and review the decision. The Cabinet Member must make a decision regarding the transfer of control of Oxford Street by September 17.
It is suggested that the GLA seize control of Oxford Street, including brief segments of several side roads, from Marble Arch at its western terminus to the intersection with Tottenham Court Road. Following discussions with the council, several adjustments have been made, one of which being Westminster’s ability to keep the development funds that are raised in the region.
How would pedestrianisation change traffic on surrounding Westminster streets?
By prohibiting vehicles on Oxford Street’s 0.7 mile stretch (Oxford Circus to Marble Arch), traffic—including buses and taxis—will be directed onto adjacent residential and commercial streets, such as Marylebone and Fitzrovia.
This could cause additional congestion in surrounding areas as displaced vehicles are re-routed: since they are on narrower streets that may not have been designed for heavy traffic volumes.
Around 16 bus routes currently serving Oxford Street are expected to be re-routed. This could mean additional congestion and slower journey times on primary feeder routes, raising access questions for commuters and residents.