Councillor Daniel Astaire, the cabinet member for planning and public realm, said: “At present there is no scheme nor a proposal which is acceptable to the council.” He added that doing nothing is not an option, but said: “doing something does not mean full or partial pedestrianisation.

 

“There are many ways to solve the issues of air quality, environment and movability along Oxford Street and these can in tandem be explored.”

 

He added that despite Transport for London and the Mayor being the main proponents of changes to the street, any decision rests with Westminster Council.

 

Results from a recent consultation on the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street showed, he added, that the “overwhelming majority of Westminster’s residents and businesses were opposed to the concept”.

 

A spokesman for community group The Marylebone Association said: “We were delighted to hear that Westminster Council has decided to put this scheme on hold.”

 

Living Streets chief executive Joe Irvin said that any delay to transforming Oxford Street “will threaten the health and safety of everyone using London’s most iconic high street” and the economic viability of the area. 

 

“Oxford Street has a horrendous casualty record and suffers illegal levels of air pollution,” he added. “We can’t afford to wait.”

 

Arup associate director Susan Claris FCIHT, who describes herself as ‘the passionate pedestrian’ said it is important to think of the proposals as being about the transformation of Oxford Street, rather than about pedestrianisation.

 

She said: “It is about looking at this in a holistic way, across all modes of transport, looking at the neighbourhood of streets in this area and looking at transport issues alongside economic, environmental and health issues for all who live in, work at or visit the area. This is a great opportunity to improve the streets for everybody."

 

Cycling and walking charity Sustrans’ director Matt Winfield said: “Hundreds of thousands of people would benefit from this world leading destination being free of traffic, free of exhaust fumes and open for all to use.

 

“The current situation simply isn’t sustainable, and any delays are a real concern. Halting the project simply means residents, businesses and visitors will continue to suffer.”

 

A spokesman for the London Mayor said Transport for London is working with Westminster Council to ensure the concerns of residents are heard, and it remained confident that the scheme could progress.