The 390 has left Oxford Street and its stops have moved, but the Victoria line still reaches Oxford Circus from Finsbury Park. Checked November 2026.

Anyone going Christmas shopping on Oxford Street from Crouch End can no longer catch a bus along the middle of it. Almost a kilometre of the street, about four and a half miles south-west of Crouch End, has been closed to traffic since 26 October.

The Mayor of London’s office says the closure is permanent. It runs from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street, which takes in Selfridges and John Lewis.

The Tube trip from our side of London has not changed. The bus trip has, and Transport for London warns that “some bus spider maps are incorrect” while it updates them.

Getting there from Crouch End and Haringey

By Tube. The Victoria line runs direct to Oxford Circus, inside the traffic-free stretch, from Tottenham Hale, Seven Sisters and Finsbury Park.

Crouch End has no Tube station, so the W7 from Muswell Hill and Crouch End Broadway to Finsbury Park is the direct link. We asked TfL’s journey planner about 11am on Saturday 14 November. It gave these times:

  • W7, Crouch End Broadway to Finsbury Park: 8 minutes
  • Victoria line, Finsbury Park to Oxford Circus: 10 minutes
  • the whole trip to the street, with a walk at each end: 37 to 38 minutes

By the 390. This is the changed route that starts nearest to us, at Archway, just over a mile south-west of Crouch End. The 41 from Crouch End Broadway and the 134 from Muswell Hill and Highgate both reach Archway.

The 390 still runs between Archway and Victoria, but it now goes round the closed section. TfL’s stop-by-stop guide lists where to catch it instead of the old stops:

Old stop Catch the 390 here instead
Selfridges BX Wigmore Street / Duke Street WB, or Selfridges BZ on Orchard Street
Selfridges BC Wigmore Street / Duke Street WA, or Selfridges BA on Orchard Street
John Lewis OR Henrietta Place HB, or Great Titchfield St / Oxford Circus Station OP
John Lewis OF Oxford Circus Station RG on Regent Street, or Great Titchfield St / Oxford Circus Station OJ

The guide also has walking directions, maps and videos for each move. TfL says the new stops are about 200 metres from the traffic-free area.

Transport for London map of bus changes around traffic-free Oxford Street, showing routes 98, 139, 390 and N98 moved to Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place, and routes 7, N7, 94, N113 and N137 changed around Marble Arch
How buses now run around the traffic-free section of Oxford Street. Map: Transport for London

By the N73 at night. The N73 serves Tottenham Hale, Tottenham High Road and Seven Sisters on its way to Oxford Circus. TfL lists it among the routes with “minor changes”, including changes to bus stops, so check your stop before you travel.

By the 29 or the 91. Neither the 29 nor the 91 is on TfL’s list of changed routes. The 29 serves Wood Green, Turnpike Lane, Harringay Green Lanes, Manor House and Finsbury Park, and it stops at Tottenham Court Road station. TfL says that station is step-free, unlike Oxford Circus, which is not on its step-free list.

By bike or taxi. Cycling through the closed section is banned, including e-bikes and e-scooters. Taxis and private hire vehicles cannot enter either, though TfL says there are ranks within 100 metres. Mobility scooters are still allowed.

For the rest of your Christmas journeys, see our Haringey Christmas travel page and our Crouch End trains to London page.

A red route 7 double-decker bus at stop BX outside Selfridges on Oxford Street, with a departure board showing routes 7, 390, 98 and 139
A route 7 bus at stop BX outside Selfridges, with the 390 on the departure board. Buses no longer run on this stretch. Photo: Transport for London

What the closure covers

Buses, cars, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs are all out. The Mayor’s office lists two exceptions:

  • emergency services, at all times
  • deliveries, from midnight to 7am

Duke Street, Stratford Place and Davies Street, New Bond Street and Vere Street, Holles Street and Harewood Place, and Regent Street all stay open as crossings. So does Great Portland Street, TfL says.

The closure does not cover the eastern end towards Tottenham Court Road. The Mayor’s office says any traffic plans for the rest of the street “will be subject to consultation”.

What changes next

The current layout is temporary. It is there to gather data and comments on how people use the space before the permanent design is settled. Construction will be kept to a minimum in the weeks before Christmas.

By the end of spring 2027, the Mayor’s office says visitors should see:

  • more than 50 new trees
  • two new public squares
  • better signage
  • more than 100 new seats and dining tables
  • new lighting

What people are saying

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan called it “a truly momentous occasion for the capital”.

“There has been talk of pedestrianising Oxford Street for decades,” Khan said. “After so many false dawns, and now working with a Government who share the scale of my ambition, I’m proud that we’re finally unlocking a new era for the street.”

London’s Transport Commissioner, Andy Lord, said TfL would be “closely monitoring these changes to make sure they are working for everyone”.

Nabeel Khan, chief executive of the Oxford Street Development Corporation, said: “The transition phase is a vital opportunity for us at OSDC to test ideas, learn from people’s experiences and work closely with local communities, businesses and accessibility groups to ensure the future street is as welcoming and inclusive as possible.”

Groups working with disabled people and pedestrians also responded. Eleanor Briggs, of Guide Dogs, said the change would help make the street “more inclusive for the approximately 214,000 Londoners living with sight loss”.

Scar Barclay, co-director of DisOrdinary, said: “For us, this is about broadening out who feels welcome and comfortable on Oxford Street.”

Catherine Woodhead, chief executive of Living Streets, said: “For too long, vehicles have been prioritised over people, making the street unsafe and polluted.”

The big shops are pleased. “Having served Oxford Street for over 160 years, we’ve seen plenty of change, and the move to make the area more pedestrian-friendly is one of the most exciting,” said Naomi Simcock, chief operating officer of John Lewis. Meave Wall, chief retail and digital officer of Selfridges, said: “We hope even more people will be inspired to visit not only this Christmas, but all year round.”

Dee Corsi, chief executive of New West End Company, sounded a more cautious note for the weeks ahead. “As businesses enter the crucial Christmas trading period, the focus must now be on getting the delivery right,” Corsi said.

Who backed it

The Mayor’s office says a public consultation drew 6,642 responses between February and May 2025. Almost seven in 10 supported the Mayor’s proposals, and two-thirds specifically supported pedestrianisation.

YouGov polling of 1,081 people in October 2024 found 63% of Londoners in favour, the office says. It puts annual spending on the street at around £3.1bn.

What it means for you

  • Going by Tube: nothing changes. Oxford Circus is on the Victoria line from Finsbury Park and Seven Sisters.
  • Going by bus: look up your stop before you leave. The TfL Go app and journey planner have the current routes, and TfL’s advice is to allow extra time.
  • Need step-free access: TfL names Bond Street and Tottenham Court Road as the step-free stations nearby.
  • Have a view on the layout: send comments to info@oxfordstreet.org.uk. The Mayor’s office says there will be events next year where you can give feedback in person.