London Mayor Lord Sadiq Khan of Tooting has hailed the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street as “a truly momentous occasion for the capital”.

From Monday, almost a kilometre of the busy central London shopping street, between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, will be traffic-free with vehicles being diverted onto nearby roads.

Oxford Street, which produces an annual spend of around £3.1 billion, is one of the world’s busiest shopping areas, with around half a million visitors each day and the overhaul comes in time for the run-up to Christmas.

A view of Oxford Street in central London, one of the world’s busiest shopping areas (Jonathan Brady/PA) (PA Archive)

Buses , taxis, private hire vehicles, private motorised vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs can no longer enter while deliveries can be made from midnight to 7am.

Emergency services will have access to the street at all times.

The area has become increasingly popular as an office location thanks to the Elizabeth line and Lord Khan…