Westminster City Council’s cabinet has greenlit a £150m improvement plan on Oxford Street, W1, after a wide-ranging public consultation.
The cabinet approved the plans yesterday (25 February). Design and modelling work will begin in the spring, with construction beginning in the autumn.
The council has set aside £150m from its capital budget to fund the works, which involve 96 individual projects, in £50m instalments over the next three years.
It controversially scrapped plans for pedestrianisation last summer after residents opposed the idea.
Richard Beddoe, councillor and cabinet member for place shaping and planning, said: “As proud custodians of the Oxford Street district, the council is determined to make sure it retains the crown as the nation’s high street in the face of huge challenges and online competition.
“We have carefully looked at every response received and made changes to the strategy as a result. We have always said that we will listen carefully to those who live, work, visit or have a business in the district so we develop the best scheme that will future proof this vital and iconic part of Westminster and the West End.
“While there is broad support for our approach, we will keep the dialogue and discussions going through any future technical stages required to deliver our ambitious strategy.”
The consultation collected 2,154 completed responses. Of these, 66% of overall respondents supported the strategy, alongside 73% of residents.
The “Place Strategy” was subject to public consultation from 6 November 13 December 2018 and the analysis of the responses has informed a decision about next steps, which was approved by the cabinet at its meeting on 25 February.
Respondents pushed for “more ambitious” Marble Arch proposals, more effective traffic management and for a stronger strategy to improve air quality, among other measures.
Concerns were also raised regarding management of the district and requests for more work to be done.
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