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Taxi drivers warn Oxford Street closure could push West End traffic into Marylebone and Mayfair
Black cab drivers say the closure could remove a long-standing source of fares and shift traffic into surrounding areas, although the full effect will take time to emerge.
Taxi drivers have warned that closing Oxford Street to general traffic could make it harder to reach passengers and reduce work in one of London’s best-known shopping districts.
TaxiPoint asked cabbies what the impact would be to taxi drivers, with drivers describing the street as a former source of rank work, street hails and pick-ups, while others said they already avoid it because of congestion.
One driver recalled ranking outside Selfridges on Christmas Day, when the shops were closed, and still finding a fare within minutes. Others said Oxford Street had once been a useful route through the West End, as well as a place where drivers could pick up passengers directly.
The comments reflect concern about the loss of access to a familiar pick-up point, particularly for shoppers carrying bags. One commenter said customers leaving Selfridges could find themselves having to walk further to reach a taxi. Another questioned how disabled passengers would manage, raising the issue of whether alternative pick-up arrangements will be convenient and accessible.
The impact on drivers is unlikely to be uniform. Some contributors said they rarely use Oxford Street or leave the area as soon as they complete a drop-off. Others described it as a significant part of the trade’s history and worried that fewer accessible roads would mean fewer opportunities to find fares.
Several drivers expect more traffic on surrounding streets, particularly Wigmore Street and routes through Marylebone and Mayfair. They raised concerns about buses, deliveries and emergency vehicles sharing those roads, and warned that incidents such as a broken-down bus or roadworks could cause wider disruption.
The discussion also points to a practical adjustment for passengers and drivers: customers may continue to request Oxford Street as a destination without knowing where vehicles can stop or how close taxis can get.
Drivers said it could take time for people to adapt to new pick-up points and routes.
Some contributors compared the change with earlier restrictions elsewhere in central London, including the loss of access to Tottenham Court Road and parts of Euston Road. One driver said the Tottenham Court Road changes marked a turning point for the trade. Others argued that new restrictions add to existing pressures from congestion, roadworks and limits on turning movements.
The comments show a sharply divided experience of Oxford Street. For drivers who relied on its ranks, hails and access to shops, the closure represents a loss of both trade and a familiar part of the West End network.
For those who already avoid the street, the immediate effect may be smaller, but is likely to push drivers to other areas in London to seek work. How much work shifts to nearby streets, and whether new passenger pick-up arrangements serve shoppers and disabled people effectively, will become clearer after the changes take effect.
