Major changes to bus services in central London will take place later this month as Oxford Street is pedestrianised.
From Monday, October 26, a nearly 1km stretch of the busy shopping street, between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street, will be closed to traffic.
The changes will affect several bus routes that currently travel along Oxford Street, with services to be diverted away from the pedestrianised section.
Under the new restrictions, buses, cars, taxis, bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and pedicabs will no longer be permitted to use the affected stretch at any time of the day or night.
Preparations will begin on Saturday, October 24, with buses stopping services through the affected stretch from the evening of Sunday, October 25.
Several routes will be diverted onto surrounding roads, with new bus stops on Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place.
Other services will be shortened, meaning some passengers will need to change buses to complete their journeys.
If you regularly catch a bus along Oxford Street, here's everything you need to know about the upcoming changes.
Daytime bus route changes
According to Transport for London (TfL), five daytime bus routes are affected by the pedestrianisation.
- Route 7: The service between East Acton and Oxford Circus will be shortened, terminating at Cumberland Gate, near Marble Arch, instead of Oxford Circus. Passengers travelling further east can change to route 98 on Edgware Road.
- Route 94: Buses travelling between Acton Green and Piccadilly Circus will instead terminate at Marble Arch. Passengers heading towards Oxford Circus and beyond can change to routes 98 or 390.
- Routes 98, 139 and 390: These services will be diverted away from Oxford Street via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. They will continue to serve the wider area, with replacement stops on nearby streets.
- Routes 55 and 73 are not among the five daytime services being permanently rerouted as part of the main pedestrianisation scheme, although temporary roadworks may affect journeys in the surrounding area.
Night-time bus route changes
Night bus services will also be affected, with several routes diverted or shortened to avoid the new traffic-free section.
- Route N7: Will terminate at Cumberland Gate, near Marble Arch, rather than Oxford Circus. Passengers can change to the N98 on Edgware Road to continue their journey.
- Routes N98 and N207: Will be diverted via Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, serving alternative stops north of Oxford Street.
- Route N113: Will no longer continue through Oxford Street towards Trafalgar Square. Instead, it will terminate at Cumberland Gate, near Marble Arch. Passengers travelling towards central London can change to route 139 on Baker Street.
- Route N137: Will terminate at Cumberland Gate instead of Oxford Circus. Passengers can change to route 390 on Park Lane for onward travel.
The 24-hour routes 94, 139 and 390 will also follow their revised routes during overnight services.
What to expect as a passenger
Longer walks to bus stops: Replacement stops will be located approximately 200 metres from the traffic-free section of Oxford Street, meaning passengers may need to walk a few extra minutes to catch their usual service.
Some journeys will require a change: Passengers using routes 7, 94, N7, N113 and N137 may need to switch buses at Marble Arch or nearby stops.
North-south crossings will remain open: Although vehicles will no longer be able to travel along the pedestrianised stretch, several roads crossing Oxford Street, including Regent Street, Duke Street and Great Portland Street, will remain open to traffic.
Cycling restrictions: Cyclists, including e-bike users, will not be permitted to ride through the traffic-free zone. Mobility scooters will still be allowed.
Emergency access: Emergency vehicles will continue to have access to the pedestrianised area.
TfL is advising passengers to check their journeys before travelling and allow extra time, particularly during the first few days of the changes.
Tube and rail services will continue to operate as normal, with Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road and Marble Arch among the nearby stations serving the area.