London’s Oxford Street is set to be pedestrianised, years after it was first attempted, mayor Sadiq Khan has announced.

The pedestrianisation plan was first announced in 2017 and would have seen extra seating installed for shoppers and a new 800-metre-long work of public art for the length of the carriageway. But Westminster Council vetoed the plan over concerns from local residents about the impact the plan would have on their transport options.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner is now expected to sign off on the scheme that would give the mayor powers to override the council. Khan said the plan would help increase visitor numbers to the area and create new jobs.

More than 500,000 people visit Oxford Street every day, which generates approximately 5% of the capital’s economic output, or the equivalent of £22.75bn, based on 2019 figures.

But the mayor’s office said the area was in need of “major regeneration”.

“Competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres, the closure...