OXFORD STREET SHOULD BE PEDESTRIANISED

9.55.40am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 27th May 2005

Commenting on the new figures revealed today that show Oxford Street tops a secret police list of troublespots, London Assembly Liberal Democrats have today renewed their call for Oxford Street to be pedestrianised.

The Liberal Democrats believe that by gradually pedestrianising Oxford Street, Britain's premier high street would see an increase footfall in shops and get better trade, improve the look of the street and reduce petty crime and make it easier to shop on Oxford Street.

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"It is time to give some bold, fresh, new thinking to the problems that London's premier shopping street has to face.

"Too often people feel put off coming to Oxford Street as they know shopping is all too often a fight not a pleasure. Making Oxford Street a pedestrian only area would encourage more people to come to central London, cut petty crime and make a day out in London fun again.

"More personal space around people would make it less likely that people would get pick-pocketed in the hustle and bustle."

ENDS

OXFORD STREET FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Liberal Democrats believe that London's premier street needs upgrading to compete with other leading retail outlets in Europe's capital cities. Our plans offer the vision of an Oxford Street that is safer, cleaner, greener and easier. The tram link will provide a step change to high quality public transport.

Key elements of Liberal Democrat vision for London's premier shopping street include:

· A pedestrian precinct from Oxford Street's junction with Orchard Street/North Audley Street to Tottenham Court Road. Regent Street will cross the precinct at Oxford Circus and remain open to traffic.

· New bus termini will be developed at Marble Arch and at Centre Point. The Marble Arch terminus will be a transport interchange between tram, bus and Tube. Some existing bus routes will be terminated at Marble Arch and Centre Point, while others will be diverted away from Oxford Street. Some bus services will still terminate at Oxford Circus.

· Wigmore Street will be closed to traffic except black cabs and buses between Portman Square and Wimpole Street during shopping hours. This will allow a through route for black cabs parallel to Oxford Street and for the no.12 bus route diversion.

· New cab ranks will be provided [for example one of these would use the current bus stands on Hollies Street outside John Lewis] so that shoppers can easily access black cabs and cab drivers can drop fares conveniently for the shops.

· A new spur to Transport for London's proposed Cross River Tram scheme running from Marble Arch through Oxford Circus and Centre Point to join the planned tramway at Southampton Row - costed at £65 million. This will provide shoppers with rapid, silent, clean, high-volume public transport taking them north of the river to Camden and south to Peckham.

· North-South access across Oxford Street will still be available to traffic, controlled by traffic lights as at present, though with priority given to the trams. This will enable black cabs to reach every section of Oxford Street.

· The precinct section of Oxford Street will be remodelled with hard landscaping with trees, shrubs and seating. Cafes will be encouraged to use the pavement areas. Tram stops will include shelters with public toilets and full electronic transport information.