Oxford St Project - Consultation 14/08/23

The Oxford St consultation remains open until 31/8. In an ealier communication I outlined the main proposals and promised a follow up with greater detail and analysis. This is it.

The most important features are those which I previously advised, namely the reversal of traffic flow in Park St and North Audley St. Park St flow will be southwards and between Oxford St and Upper Brook St all right and left turns will be permitted apart from North Row where no right turn can take place because North Row is one-way west to east. At Upper Brook St traffic can only turn left as below Upper Brook St Park St remains one way south to north. Access to Park St can take place from the north ( Portman St) and there will be a left turn from Oxford St for traffic travelling east to west ie towards Marble Arch BUT see later remarks about traffic restrictions on this section of Oxford St. North Audley St will flow northwards from Upper Brook St to Oxford St and all right and left turns are permitted except a left into North Row which, as mentioned, flows west to east. At Oxford St traffic is permitted to go right, left or straight ahead.

Next in terms of impact is the proposal to create amenity spaces so that no traffic flow to or from Oxford St can take place at Binney, Gilbert and Davies streets. Essentially all these streets will become cul-de-sacs. The northern sections of Binney St and Gilbert St will become 2-way in order to allow access and egress for residents. Additionally traffic flow will be reversed in South Molton Lane to allow traffic to exit the Davies St cul-de-sac. To allow access to St Anselms Place a small section of Gilbert St, south of Weighouse St will also be made two-way.

Two significant traffic restrictions are being introduced which will have significant impact. Firstly Orchard St south of Portman Mews/Edwards Mews will be restricted to Buses, Taxis and cycles 24hours. Oxford St between Orchard St and Portman st will be restricted 7am to midday to Buses, Taxis, Cycles and Goods vehicles, from midday to 7pm to Buses, Taxis and cycles. From 7pm to 7am there will be no restrictions. It also seems to me that both sides of Grosvenor Square on the north/south axis will be one way going north to south.

At this stage I must put in a disclaimer. You will have realised that these are quite complicated changes. I have done my best to understand and set out those changes but I cannot guarantee that I have got everything right.

As I said in my earlier e-mail the view is that there is an awful lot of traffic moving through Mayfair which does not really need to be there and these changes are designed to reduce that traffic flow. In terms of congestion and air quality that must be a positive but there may well be a cost in terms of inconvenience. The above information should allow you to assess whether your own or your visitors' movements into and out of Mayfair are likely to be improved or worsened. I am recommending that RSMSJ does not take a position on this. It may well be that the overall situation is improved but there also may be losers and in those circumstances I feel that it is not appropriate for us to take a position. If you, however, do have views on this I urge you to make your views known by answering the questionnaire which is available on website "oxfordstreetprogramme".

One point that is worth making very forcefully is that the intention is to spend tens of millions on this project. Oxford St is however beset by problems, proliferation of downmarket candy stores, begging, busking, pedicabs and e-cycles and scooters to name a few. Unless the council put in place an effective Management Plan, that will prove to be money down the drain. Please hammer that point home at every opportunity."

Regards Mike Dunn