Early morning travel through the heart of London was severely disrupted today after a serious accident on Oxford Street forced the closure of one of the capital’s busiest thoroughfares. Seventeen London bus routes were diverted as emergency services sealed off a central stretch of the road, bringing traffic to an abrupt standstill and upending the journeys of commuters, workers and visitors across the West End.

What Happened on Oxford Street

The incident unfolded shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday, February 6, 2026, along a heavily trafficked section of Oxford Street in central London. In the immediate aftermath, the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service rushed to the scene while Transport for London moved quickly to close the road and reroute buses away from the affected area.

The closure runs between Charing Cross Road near Tottenham Court Road Station and the junction with Soho Street and Rathbone Place. This is a critical east west spine through the West End, connecting theatreland, Soho and the retail heart of Oxford Street. Any disruption in this corridor has an outsized impact on London’s wider transport network.

Officials have not yet released full details of the accident itself, including the number of vehicles involved or the extent of injuries, but the scale of the response underlines the seriousness of the situation. Overnight closures in central London are not unusual, yet it is rare for an incident to trigger diversions for as many as 17 bus routes at once.

In the hours after the collision, emergency crews concentrated on securing the scene, treating the injured and carrying out investigations. That work has required keeping the carriageway closed into the morning travel period, immediately intertwining a road traffic incident with the daily story of how London moves.

Seventeen Bus Routes Diverted

With the road shut between Charing Cross Road and Soho Street, Transport for London has diverted 17 bus routes that would normally thread through Oxford Street at this point. While the exact routing of each line varies, the ripple effect is being felt across a wide swathe of central London, from Bloomsbury to Mayfair and from the West End down toward the river.

Buses that typically run along Oxford Street are being redirected to parallel arteries where possible, with drivers instructed to bypass the closed segment and rejoin normal line of route further along. These diversions lengthen journey times and, in several cases, move stops away from their usual positions, leaving regular riders to piece together new boarding points on the fly.

Passengers traveling into central London from north and west London are among those hardest hit, as Oxford Street is a traditional funnel for routes from those directions. Many morning commuters have stepped off a diverted bus into unfamiliar territory, forced to make the last leg of their journeys on foot or via the Underground.

Transport for London has advised passengers to allow extra time, check live updates before leaving home and be prepared for sudden changes. The diversions also have knock on effects, as displaced buses add to congestion and dwelling times on alternative streets not designed for such heavy levels of public transport traffic.

Commuter Chaos in the West End

The accident’s timing, in the early hours of a weekday, meant the most acute disruption unfolded as Londoners began their morning routines. By first light, Oxford Street’s usually relentless stream of red buses had noticeably thinned, replaced in some sections by a line of stationary emergency vehicles and diverted traffic inching along side streets.

For office workers accustomed to stepping off a bus within a short walk of Soho, Fitzrovia or the Tottenham Court Road tech and media cluster, the sudden loss of direct service has added stress, delays and confusion. Many found that their regular stops were suspended or unreachable, with drivers announcing last minute route changes as buses approached the cordoned off area.

Tourists staying in central hotels have also been swept up in the disruption. Visitors planning to use buses as a scenic and straightforward way to reach museums, landmarks and shops woke to find normal services in disarray. With unfamiliar geography and no fixed plan B, some chose to walk across the West End rather than untangle the network of diversions.

On the pavements, the incident has subtly reshaped the morning rhythm of central London. Pedestrians cluster at bus stops, scanning information displays and conferring with staff, while others weave around temporary barriers, police tape and parked emergency vehicles. For a district that thrives on momentum, even a partial halt on Oxford Street is immediately felt.

Impact on Shoppers, Hotels and Local Businesses

Oxford Street is one of Europe’s busiest retail avenues, and even a partial closure reverberates through the local economy. Although the accident occurred before shops opened, the extended road closure has shifted how people access the area, with direct bus links curtailed just as morning staff and early shoppers were arriving.

Many retailers along and near the closed section reported slower footfall early in the day, as potential customers faced long detours or chose to delay trips. Small independent cafés and convenience stores that rely heavily on commuter trade were among the first to feel the squeeze, with fewer people passing their doors during peak breakfast hours.

Hotels dotted around Soho, Fitzrovia and Bloomsbury have also had to react quickly. Front desk staff spent the morning advising guests on alternative routes, explaining why pre booked taxis might be delayed, and helping visitors unfamiliar with London to navigate the Underground instead of the bus. For properties that market themselves on easy access to Oxford Street and the West End, any transport disruption adds pressure to provide smooth alternatives.

At the same time, some streets parallel to Oxford Street have experienced an unexpected surge in activity. With diverted buses and pedestrians redirecting themselves, side roads known more for offices or residential blocks have seen increased footfall, offering a temporary boon for businesses away from the main shopping spine.

Official Response and Ongoing Investigation

The Metropolitan Police are leading the investigation into the accident, supported by London Ambulance Service and, where necessary, specialist collision investigators. Their first priority overnight was to assess casualties and secure vehicles and debris, which required holding the road closed for an extended period.

Authorities have appealed for witnesses who were in the area shortly after 1 a.m., particularly anyone who may have dashcam footage or mobile phone video that could clarify the events leading up to the collision. While detailed findings may take time to emerge, investigators will be under pressure to determine whether speed, driver error, road conditions or other factors played a role.

Transport for London has activated its standard incident response processes, with operations teams coordinating traffic signal adjustments, bus diversions and real time information across its network. Control room staff monitor congestion patterns around the closure, ready to tweak diversion routes if particular junctions become overwhelmed.

City authorities are balancing the need for a thorough investigation with the urgency of reopening Oxford Street as soon as it is safe to do so. Until the scene is fully cleared and the carriageway inspected, however, buses will remain away from the affected stretch and road traffic will be held at diversion points.

Advice for Travelers in Central London Today

For anyone planning to travel through central London today, particularly around Oxford Street, flexibility is essential. Transport for London is urging passengers to check live updates before setting out, use journey planning tools, and be prepared to switch between buses, Underground and walking to complete their journeys.

Travelers heading to the West End from outer districts may find it faster to use Underground services to Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus or Bond Street rather than relying on diverted buses. Once in the area, short walks along side streets can often bypass congestion hotspots and reach destinations more quickly than sitting in stationary traffic.

Visitors staying near Oxford Street should build extra time into any schedule that involves timed tickets, theatre performances or onward rail connections. Concierge and front desk teams at local hotels can be invaluable in helping guests choose the best combination of lines and walking routes, especially for those unfamiliar with interchanges and station exits.

For Londoners accustomed to gliding along Oxford Street by bus, the day serves as a reminder of the value of walking routes that thread together Soho, Fitzrovia, Bloomsbury and Mayfair. While the accident has caused genuine inconvenience and, for some, distress, it has also briefly shifted the city’s focus from wheels to feet in one of its most iconic districts.

What This Incident Reveals About Oxford Street’s Future

The disruption comes at a time when Oxford Street is already under intense scrutiny as London debates its future as a retail and public space. Proposals to further limit or even remove through traffic, reconfigure bus routes and expand pedestrian zones have been circulating for several years, driven by concerns over safety, air quality and the competitiveness of the high street.

Today’s closure is temporary and unplanned, the result of a specific accident rather than policy. Yet the spectacle of a bus free Oxford Street in the morning rush underscores both the vulnerability and the adaptability of the area. With buses redirected and traffic constrained, the sheer physical scale of the street becomes more apparent, as does the potential for a different kind of urban experience.

At the same time, the incident highlights how dependent many Londoners still are on surface public transport, particularly those who cannot or prefer not to use the Underground. Any long term redesign of Oxford Street will need to reconcile the aspiration for calmer, pedestrian oriented spaces with the practical need to move large numbers of people efficiently and accessibly.

For now, officials will be focusing on restoring normality rather than reimagining the street. But as traders tally up a morning of lost custom and passengers replay a fraught commute, the conversation about how Oxford Street should work, and for whom, will only grow louder.

The Takeaway

Today’s accident on Oxford Street has delivered a stark reminder of how quickly central London’s finely balanced transport ecosystem can be thrown off course. A single collision in the early hours has cascaded into the diversion of seventeen bus routes, widespread delays and a reshaping of morning routines for thousands of people across the West End.

Yet amid the disruption, both Londoners and visitors are displaying the familiar resilience that characterises the city at difficult moments. Commuters are improvising new routes, businesses are adjusting to a different flow of customers, and frontline transport and emergency staff are working to keep people safe and moving.

In the short term, the priority is clear. Travelers should stay informed, remain patient and allow extra time while the road remains closed and investigations continue. In the longer term, the incident will feed into the broader debate about how Oxford Street should function as both a global shopping destination and a vital piece of London’s transport puzzle.

For anyone heading into central London today, the message is simple. Oxford Street will recover its familiar bustle, but for now, plan ahead, expect diversions and be ready to see a very different side to one of the world’s best known urban avenues.

FAQ

Q1: Where exactly is Oxford Street closed today?
The closure runs between Charing Cross Road near Tottenham Court Road Station and the junction with Soho Street and Rathbone Place in central London.

Q2: How many bus routes are affected by the Oxford Street accident?
A total of seventeen London bus routes that normally use this stretch of Oxford Street have been diverted away from the closure.

Q3: How long is the disruption expected to last?
Authorities have not announced a firm reopening time. The road will remain closed while emergency services complete their work, investigations continue and the carriageway is assessed for safety.

Q4: What is the best way to travel to Oxford Street right now?
Travelers are advised to use the Underground to nearby stations such as Tottenham Court Road, Oxford Circus or Bond Street and then walk, rather than relying on diverted bus services.

Q5: Are shops on Oxford Street still open during the closure?
Yes. Most shops and businesses remain open, although customers may find it takes longer to reach them due to diverted buses and increased congestion on surrounding streets.

Q6: Is it safe to walk near the accident site?
Pedestrians are generally able to move around the wider area, but access immediately around the accident scene is restricted by police and emergency workers. Follow all on street instructions and use alternative pavements where directed.

Q7: How can I check if my bus is being diverted?
Passengers should check live travel updates from Transport for London, use journey planning apps and pay close attention to on board announcements and notices at bus stops along their route.

Q8: Will this disruption affect travel to theatres and evening events in the West End?
If the closure continues into the afternoon and evening, journey times to theatres and entertainment venues may be longer. Ticket holders should allow extra time and consider using the Underground for the final leg of their trip.

Q9: Are there special arrangements for people with reduced mobility?
Passengers with reduced mobility are encouraged to contact Transport for London for assistance and journey advice. Staff at key stations can provide guidance on lifts, step free routes and accessible alternatives to disrupted bus services.

Q10: What should I do if I witnessed the accident?
Anyone who was in the area shortly after 1 a.m. and saw the collision, or who has relevant video footage, should contact the Metropolitan Police using their non emergency channels, quoting any reference number provided in official appeals.