Councils warned of risks of high street pedestrianisation

The UK government has warned councils against ill-considered plans to pedestrianise high streets in England.

In evidence submitted to an inquiry by MPs, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) said pedestrianisation can make high streets "more attractive, safe and welcoming".

But the department added that "the process needs to be well considered", warning that removing traffic could make high streets less accessible and damage local economies.

"Local leaders pursuing pedestrianisation must be aware of the risks and work to mitigate them, within a broader spatial strategy," the evidence says.

The evidence was submitted , external to the Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee, which is investigating the action needed to revitalise England's high streets.

An MHCLG spokesperson said the government had not issued formal guidance to local authorities on pedestrianisation.

The government is due to publish a new strategy on high streets later this year.

"We support local leaders to make their own choices about pedestrianisation based on the needs of their communities," the spokesperson said.

"Our upcoming high streets strategy will also set out more detail on how we are bringing high streets back to life and making sure they are accessible for everyone."

Studies suggest banning cars from high streets has become increasingly common in city and town centres across the UK.

Some councils attempted pedestrianisation experiments during the Covid pandemic, which spurred debates about the use of outdoor public spaces.

But the pedestrianisation of some high streets has proved contentious, particularly in London, London Mayor Sadiq Khan has clashed with the local council over plans to make Oxford Street traffic-free .

The BBC has asked the mayor's office for comment on the government's evidence.

Most pedestrianisation schemes are immediately countered by some level of local opposition, said Professor Lee Ivett, who heads the School of Architecture at the University of the Built Environment.