OXFORD STREET'S 176 ROADWORKS PER YEAR MEANS IT SHOULD BE PEDESTRIANISED

12.01.00am GMT Mon 6th Dec 2004

Commenting on the new figures revealed today that show Oxford Street was subjected to works 176 times in the past year, or once every two days, London Assembly Liberal Democrats have today renewed their call for Oxford Street to be pedestrianised.

The figures were revealed at the end of the consultation on new powers allowing Transport for London to ban roadworks in an attempt to reduce congestion on the capital's busiest routes.

With so many roadworks on Oxford Street, a change to a more pedestrian friendly street would ensure essential work would still get carried out without severely affecting traffic.

The Liberal Democrats also 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 the stress and make it easier to shop on Oxford Street.

Liberal Democrat Transport Spokesperson, Lynne Featherstone, said:-

"With so many roadworks, so many vehicles and so many people, it is time for 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, while allowing utility companies the opportunity to get on with doing the roadworks they need to do."

ENDS

As part of the end of consultation on new powers allowing Transport for London to ban roadworks in an attempt to reduce congestion on the capital's busiest routes, new figures reveal Oxford St was subjected to works 176 times in the past year.