Image source, EPA

Our live coverage on the pedestrianisation of much of Oxford Street is now coming to a close.

Despite the rain, shoppers are slowly filling up the road, with many excited by the changes.

Earlier in the day, London's Mayor Lord Khan hailed pedestrianisation as the first move away from the street's "managed decline", but Westminster Council said questions still remained about how it would work.

Some faced confusion as buses were diverted on to new routes, while the occasional cyclist tried to continue along the road, unaware of the changes.

You can read our round up of everything that happened today here.

Meghan Owen
Work and money correspondent, BBC London

Image source, Press Association

This major overhaul of one of Europe’s busiest shopping streets, which sees annual spending of more than £3bn and about 500,000 visitors a day, comes just in time for the run-up to Christmas.

Over the years it has been knocked back by things including the pandemic, to the growth of online shopping and retail parks.

But City Hall’s economic unit estimates, external that pedestrianising Oxford Street could add up to £82m a year to the local economy and support more than 700 additional jobs

Major businesses including Selfridges, John Lewis and Ikea have welcomed the changes.

But some smaller traders in side streets are concerned they will end up being pushed out by larger corporate enterprises, along with the potential impact of more people coming to the area.

Recently, MPs were also warned there were risks involved with high street pedestrianisation, and how without a properly consider process, removing traffic could make high streets less accessible and damage local economies.

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

It’s worth noting that the section of Oxford Street that has been altered from Great Portland Street to Orchard Street is not entirely pedestrianised.

Intersecting north-south roads along the route break up the pedestrian zone, meaning shoppers and commuters will have some traffic to navigate when walking along.

Here's a map of the locations where vehicles can still cross the road.

Jess Warren
London

Nabeel Khan, chief executive of the Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC), says this starting transition phase will be used to "test ideas, learn from people’s experiences and work closely with local communities, businesses and accessibility groups" on the final version of the scheme.

He says more trees, street furniture and dining areas will be introduced Oxford Street over the coming months and two new public squares are planned by spring 2027.

The longer-term ambition is to introduce more cafes, leisure facilities and other uses beyond retail, he says.

James W Kelly
on Regent Street

Waiting in the taxi rank in nearby Regent Street, Gary the cabbie tells me he thinks making Oxford Street traffic free will "cause chaos".

"The traffic is going to be pushed around the back of the West End," he says. "It's just not going to move.

"I think it will damage trade for Oxford Street, definitely. For us, possibly.

"Every passenger I've spoken to has said exactly the same thing, and they are people who live and work in the West End."

He adds that access for disabled passengers will "no doubt become a problem" on Oxford Street.

Gem O'Reilly
on Oxford Street

By beginning the pedestrianisation in October, the mayor hopes shops will see the benefit when it comes to festive spending.

Kate Boothman Meier, director of corporate affairs at New West End Company, says as the Christmas trading period approaches, construction works on the street will "die down", before recommencing in the New Year.

"[Shops] are going to have a good run at Christmas and ultimately it's going to be good for their business in the long term," she says.

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Among the concerns raised by BBC Radio London listeners during an Oxford Street phone-in last week was emergency service access.

Out on the street a worker informed me that these barriers will go down to allow access to ambulances, police cars and fire engines when needed.

They will also go flat overnight to allow stock delivery to stores.

Shops will also be able to receive deliveries and other servicing between midnight and 07:00.

Lauren Stanley
London

Claire Mann, TfL's chief operating officer tells BBC Radio London they are trying to ensure access to the street remains "good".

She says: "We've had to curtail and divert bus routes for the pedestrianisation, but we've ensured that as per the whole of London, there's a bus stop within 200m of Oxford Street, there's also taxi ranks within 100m.

"We've also got Bond Street and the Elizabeth line which is fully accessible and with the north-south crossing roads there is the ability for people to be dropped off, so we are trying to ensure that the access to the street remains as good as it does for London.

"Obviously it'll be a change for people and that's why we'll have people on the street to support in those early days."

Nicky Ford
on Oxford Street

I was on board the 139 bus which comes from Golders Green this morning and it was all change - or at least for people who were hoping to get off at the stop outside Selfridges on Oxford Street.

While the route used to head to Selfridges, the buses are now being rerouted before then to Cavendish Place and from there to Tottenham Court Road.

The driver advised a passenger who was heading to Selfridges to get off at Tottenham Court Road and catch another bus back.

Outside Selfridges, TfL ambassadors wearing pink vests reminiscent of the 2012 Olympic Games are advising people how to get around.

The BBC's Graham Satchell has been out on Oxford Street to take a stroll along the newly pedestrianised road.

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Cyclist Mona is pushing bike along Oxford Street as she walks to work.

"I have to walk now, unless I take the back route, but it will be too crowded," she tells me.

"I'm concerned about my disabled customers. I don't know how they're going to manage. Let's see. It's a good thing but I'll see how it goes. For me, I will just have to walk."

She says she feels "vulnerable" cycling in central London and would only use back routes if they had cycle lanes.

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Shopper Henry West says he feels the road changes are positive.

"I can understand the issue with the effect on local businesses, but from a tourist perspective, it's so much easier to navigate with it being pedestrianised," he says.

"It makes it that much better for being able to function. I think it's probably more a positive than a negative.

"Looking at it on a rainy day, you can already see it's getting a bit jam-packed, I can only see it being a positive for Christmas shoppers."

Lauren Stanley
London

Seb Dance, London's deputy mayor for transport and deputy chair for Transport for London, tells BBC London pedestrianisation will make Oxford Street a more attractive destination for Londoners and tourists.

There are concerns about the diversion of traffic, and some Londoners who live in the surrounding areas fear increased congestion.

Dance says "people will see very quickly the benefits the pedestrianisation will create."

He points out that private vehicle use has been restricted on Oxford Street for many years and the main congestion on the road came from buses and taxis.

"We're very confident that the modelling we've done will minimise the impact on surrounding streets," he says.

TfL previously told BBC London it expected to see "a manageable increase in traffic" on Wigmore Street, Cavendish Place, Henreitta Street, Marylebone Lane and Welbeck Street.

Tim Stokes
London

Image source, Getty Images

Oxford Street may have become the UK's most famous high street, but its history is long and varied, according to the Survey of London, created by the University College of London (UCL), external.

Image source, Getty Images

The route dates back to Roman times when it was a major artery leading west from the city.

It later became known as Tyburn Road and was notorious as the final route taken by condemned prisoners on their way to be hanged at the Tyburn tree, where Marble Arch can now be found.

Image source, Getty Images

By the 17th Century the road was known as Oxford Street because it was the main way to get to Oxford.

It became a major shopping destination by the 1770s with the emergence of numerous small shops, with shopkeepers attracted by the opportunity to establish stores on a major road within reach of the upmarket residents of Mayfair and Marylebone, according to UCL, external.

Image source, Getty Images

These small shops then faced competition from the rise of covered bazaars in the 19th Century, along with the introduction of major department stores from the late 1800s. Entertainment hubs like restaurants, music venues and theatres also sprang up in the area.

The status of the shopping street was further enhanced in the Edwardian period with the introduction of improved transport links including a number of Underground stations, the UCL says.

Image source, Getty Images

Gem O'Reilly
Oxford Street

Oxford Street has been pedestrianised between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street, but will it be extended to the entire length?

Kate Boothman Meier, director of corporate affairs at New West End Company, tells BBC Radio London this is only the "first phase of the pedestrianisation".

She says: "The ultimate aim is to try and pedestrianise the wider Oxford Street. That is further down the line, we have to see how this goes first."

The Oxford Street Development Corporation tells BBC London "possible future phases are being considered and costed."

James W Kelly
on Oxford Street

Commuters have given way to half-term shoppers who have not been put off by the weather.

A notable change in the past couple of hours is the number of people walking on what used to be the road.

People are getting used to the idea that it’s no longer a space for dodging traffic.

And while they’re no longer being used for buses, the shelters are still proving useful as London’s weather turns truly autumnal.

Jen Conway
London

While there is much work going on Oxford Street, the changes are also having an impact on infrastructure below it.

Passengers leaving Oxford Circus Underground station this morning have found one of the exits closed.

One TfL worker says the closure is in place while some street furniture is being cleared from the corner of Oxford Street and Regent Street. The work is expected to finish within days, they add.

Tom Edwards
Transport Correspondent, BBC London

Image source, Getty Images

This morning we've seen many cases of cyclists continuing to bike along Oxford Street despite them being among those barred from the road.

Tom Faynes, chief executive of the London Cycling Campaign, says new cycle lane routes are needed both north and south of Oxford Street to provide an alternative to the pedestrianised area.

"Thousands of cyclists come through here everyday," he says.

"We need some education and awareness for cyclists over what's changed, but we need routes north and south so we can get through."

Lauren Stanley
London

Image source, Press Association

This morning we've been hearing opponents of the pedestrianisation scheme discussing accessibility for elderly and disabled as one of their key concerns.

Back in April, one of the groups advocating for disabled Londoners, Inclusion London, said it supported the mayor's aims for making London cleaner, safer and less congested, but that it had concerns that the plans to fully pedestrianise Oxford Street could create new barriers for disabled people if accessibility is not properly considered.

Last week, chair of Inclusion London, Adam Gabsi told BBC Radio London's Eddie Nestor: "I am a wheelchair user and rely on access and smooth travel to get me to where I'm trying to get to.

"The proof will be in the pudding. If access to buses and taxis becomes difficult, then there'll be problems for people like me."

He said that although disabled Londoners were consulted on plans, it wasn't co-produced by disabled Londoners.

Another access group, Wheels for Wellbeing argues that Oxford Street's transformation could be a major accessibility win for disabled people, but only if buses, mobility aids, accessible cycling, Blue Badge parking and step-free transport are properly built into the final design.

And sight loss charity Guide Dogs said it was "delighted that large parts of Oxford Street are now traffic-free".

"With approximately 214,000 Londoners living with sight loss, and thousands more vision impaired people visiting the capital every year, the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street will improve safety and accessibility," said Clive Wood, lead policy and campaigns manager.

"We welcome the move and look forward to continuing to work with TfL to ensure the redesign goes beyond simply removing traffic, creating a space that is genuinely inclusive and easier for everyone to navigate independently."

James W Kelly
Oxford Street

The Oxford Street Development Corporation (OSDC) and TfL have taken an eclectic approach in blocking Oxford Street to traffic, with at least four different methods seen in place.

I overheard one shopper describe one particular heavy-duty bollard as looking like a Christmas tree.

While successful in blocking motor traffic, the OSDC’s claim on BBC Radio London that the barriers would also prevent cyclists riding down Oxford Street has so far not worked.