SUCCESS OF TRAFFIC FREE SATURDAY SHOWS OXFORD STREET MUST BE PEDESTRIANISED

5.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Sat 1st Oct 2005

Following the success of the traffic free day in Oxford Street on Saturday to encourage shoppers back into the capital, the London Assembly Liberal Democrats have today published comprehensive details of how Britain's premier shopping street could be pedestrianised permanently.

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

The proposals would see:-

· In 2006 the removal of all traffic on Sundays

· In 2007 the removal of all traffic on weekends

· In 2009 - the total pedestrianisation of Oxford Street 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.

· By 2013 - a tram route from Marble Arch through Oxford Circus and Centre Point to join the planned Cross River tramway route to Peckham and Camden at Southampton Row.

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Geoff Pope, said:-

"Following the events on the 7th and 21st of July, the downturn in the economy and the introduction of the congestion charge, businesses in central London have been hit especially hard.

"The success of the Oxford Street traffic free day on Saturday shows what is needed to encourage people back into the capital. It is time to give some bold, fresh, new thinking to the problems that London's premier shopping street has to face.

"One bus journey I timed took 23 minutes to go from Centre Point to Marble Arch. The endless jam of diesel buses all moving at a snail's pace benefits no one. There is a better way.

"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 the capital 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 the London Assembly 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.

Timetable for total pedestrianisation of Oxford Street

Liberal Democrats would develop these outline plans in close consultation with West End retailers, TfL London Buses, the cab trade, the transport unions and Westminster City Council.

· 2006 - Pilot scheme of removing all traffic on Sundays

· 2007 - Pilot scheme of removing all traffic on weekends

· 2009 - Total pedestrianisation of Oxford Street 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.

· 2013 - Tram route from Marble Arch through Oxford Circus and Centre Point to join the planned tramway at Southampton Row

Bus re-routing

Detailed plans for rerouting of buses around the proposed Oxford Street pedestrianisation can be found below:-

6 Aldwych - Kensal Rise Station [Metroline]

DIVERT via Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus

7 Russell Square - East Acton Station [First]

TERMINATE at Marble Arch

Onward journey may be completed by Camden Tram via Southampton Row to Russell Square

8 Victoria - Bow Church [Stagecoach]

DIVIDE THE ROUTE The new Route 8 will start at Centre Point and follow the existing route to Bow Church.

V8 A new service [Bond Street - Victoria] will start at Davies Street (for Bond Street Tube) via Brook Street, New Bond Street, and follow the existing Route 8 to Victoria.

This bus will turn round using Weighhouse Street, Gilbert Street and St. Anselm's Place.

10 King's Cross - Hammersmith [First]

DIVERT via Euston Road, Great Portland Street, New Cavendish Street, Portland Place, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Piccadilly, Hyde Park Corner

12 Dulwich - Notting Hill Gate [London Central]

DIVERT via Portman Street, Portman Square, Wigmore Street, Cavendish Place, and Regent Street. Return route via Margaret Street, Cavendish Square, Henrietta Place, Wimpole Street, Wigmore Street and Orchard Street.

13 Aldwych - Golders Green [Sovereign London]

TERMINATE at Marble Arch

Onward journey may be completed by Peckham Tram via Southampton Row to Aldwych

15 Paddington - Poplar [Stagecoach London]

DIVERT via Park Lane, Piccadilly and Piccadilly Circus

23 Westbourne Park - Aldwych [First]

DIVERT via Praed Street, Chapel Street, Old Marylebone Road, Marylebone Road, Great Portland Street, New Cavendish Street, Portland Place, Oxford Circus, and Regent Street.

25 Oxford Circus - Ilford [First]

DIVERT by Shaftesbury Avenue, Piccadilly Circus, and Regent Street to terminate at Oxford Street.

55 Oxford Circus - Leyton [Stagecoach London]

TERMINATE at Centre Point

Onward journey by either Tram to Oxford Circus.

73 Victoria - Tottenham [Arriva London]

DIVERT at Hyde Park Corner via Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, Shaftesbury Avenue, Charing Cross Road, New Oxford Street

94 Acton Green - Piccadilly Circus [London United]

TERMINATE at Marble Arch

OR DIVERT via Park Lane, Piccadilly to Piccadilly Circus

98 Holborn Station - Willesden [Metroline]

TERMINATE at Marble Arch

Onward journey may be completed by either Tram to Holborn

113 Edgware - Oxford Circus [Metroline]

TERMINATE at Marble Arch

Onward journey may be completed by either Tram to Oxford Circus

137 Oxford Circus - Streatham [Arriva London]

ROUTE TO START in Regent Street, south of Little Argyll Street, close to Oxford Circus. Bus to turn round via Great Marlborough Street, Argyll Street and Little Argyll Street.

139 West Hampstead - Waterloo [Arriva London]

DIVERT via Marylebone Road, Great Portland Street, New Cavendish Street, Portland Place, Oxford Circus, Regent Street

159 Marble Arch - Streatham Station [Arriva London]

TERMINATE at Oxford Circus

ROUTE TO START in Regent Street, south of Little Argyll Street, close to Oxford Circus. Bus to turn round via Great Marlborough Street, Argyll Street and Little Argyll Street.

176 Penge - Oxford Circus [Arriva London]

TERMINATE at Centre Point

Onward journey to Oxford Circus may be completed by either Tram.

189 Oxford Circus - Brent Cross [Metroline]

DIVERT via Marylebone Road, Great Portland Street, Margaret Street,

TERMINATE north of Oxford Circus on Regent Street. Return via Portland Place.

390 Marble Arch - Archway [Metroline]

TERMINATE at Centre Point

Onward journey to Marble Arch may be completed by either Tram.