LONDON (AP) — London’s Oxford Street will be closed to cars, buses and bicycles starting Monday as authorities seek to revive the city’s main shopping street, where the proliferation of souvenir shops and candy sellers has dimmed the allure of what was once the heart of British consumer culture.
From now on, nearly a kilometer (mile) of Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street will be traffic-free, with vehicles diverted onto surrounding roads. The move is the first step in a makeover of the storied shopping precinct, with plans to plant trees, install seating and add two new public squares.
Oxford Street still sees about half a million visitors a day, with shoppers bustling between retailers such as Selfridges, Zara and John Lewis.
But city officials say pedestrianizing the street will put it back into the league of top global shopping destinations like Times Square, the Champs-Élysées and La Rambla.
“This is a momentous day for London, a momentous day for Oxford Street,’’ London Mayor Sadiq Khan told the BBC. “It’s a new era.’’
While local officials began discussing the idea of pedestrianizing Oxford Street more than a decade ago, momentum began to build over the last two years when the mayor’s office created the Oxford Street Development Corporation to shepherd the project. That helped overcome opposition from local residents who complained that diverting vehicles from Oxford Street would clog their neighborhoods with traffic.
A public consultation later determined that removing traffic would attract new shops and visitors to Oxford Street, making it “an iconic destination.”
The project also got a boost from the new Elizabeth express train line, which runs through the heart of the city, with a stop on Oxford Street.
Further work on the makeover will begin in the new year, with city officials refining their plans based on feedback from visitors, Khan told reporters Monday on a rain-soaked Oxford Street.
“In advance of Christmas, you know, I want people to come here and shop and enjoy the experience,'' he said.
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Kwiyeon Ha contributed
A signboard is installed while workers put up barriers and bollards on Oxford Street as the street becomes traffic-free and pedestrianized in London, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
London's Oxford Street viewed from above, after The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan posed for the media as it becomes traffic-free and pedestrianized in London, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan poses for the media in Oxford Street as it becomes traffic-free and pedestrianized in London, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Regional and world leaders congratulated Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva after he defeated challenger Flávio Bolsonaro to win an unprecedented fourth term.
Latin America’s other left-leaning leaders were especially quick to react. Lula remains a revered figure on the region’s left, having governed Brazil from 2003 to 2010, when leftist leaders held power across much of Latin America. Since returning to office in 2023, he has been a vocal critic of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Long live democracy, the people of Brazil won. Congratulations, President Lula!
Dear brother Lula, on behalf of the Cuban government and people, I congratulate you for this historic victory that ensures the continuity of the path of peace, sovereignty and social justice embarked upon by the Brazilian people under your leadership. Brazil can count on Cuba in the construction of the unity and integration of our Great Homeland, Latin America and the Caribbean.
Congratulations (...) to you, comrade President Lula, who in your seventh presidential election knew how to awaken your compatriots' passions and their reason to win this battle.
Chile and Brazil have a lot of shared future ahead, and we will continue working on an agenda that strengthens relations between our countries in economic integration and the fight against organized crime in the region.
Congratulations to Lula on this victory. Our region has common enemies, shared challenges and much to gain when we work together.
As we approach the bicentennial of our diplomatic relations, I reaffirm our willingness to strengthen our strategic alliance, integration, cooperation and the sustainable development of the Amazon that we share, for the benefit of both our peoples.
Bolivia and Brazil are neighboring and sister countries, united by a shared history and common challenges. We will continue working together to strengthen our relationship and generate more opportunities for our nations.
China (...) expresses its congratulations. We are ready to work with Brazil to continue advancing the building of a China-Brazil community with a shared future.
Lula has stood up for Brazilian workers & democracy — and will continue to do so in the next four years.
For us in Ukraine, it is important that Brazil remains active in international affairs and continues to contribute to the effective protection of human rights, the rights of peoples, and the rights of states. We thank Brazil for its unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We look forward to expanding our cooperation.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva celebrates with his running mate Geraldo Alckmin after winning a fourth term in the presidential runoff in , Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.(AP Photo/Andre Penner)
