The Metropolitan Police has announced strict conditions for a major pro-Palestine demonstration in central London on Saturday, 10 October 2026, with up to 10,000 people expected to attend.

The Palestine Coalition march will begin gathering on the Embankment at midday before travelling through Westminster and ending with a rally in Whitehall.

Police have imposed restrictions on the route, gathering areas and finishing times under the Public Order Act. A significant police presence is also planned, with officers aiming to prevent disruption while protecting the right to peaceful protest.

Palestine march route and restrictions confirmed

Protesters must follow a designated route starting at Victoria Embankment before crossing Westminster Bridge. The procession will then continue along York Road, Waterloo Bridge and the Strand before reaching Whitehall.

Participants must remain within specified gathering areas before the march begins. They are also prohibited from entering an emergency access lane on Westminster Bridge and Westminster Bridge Road.

Once protesters reach Whitehall, speeches and music must finish by 5.30pm. The entire rally must conclude by 6.30pm.

Police have also authorised additional powers under Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.

These allow officers to require someone to remove a face covering if they reasonably believe it is being worn primarily to conceal their identity.

A separate counter-protest organised by Stop The Hate is also expected.

Police warn of disruption and possible arrests

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Carl Galvin, who is leading the operation, said the demonstration could have a greater impact on communities because it falls close to the third anniversary of the 7 October 2023 Hamas attacks on Israel.

“Ahead of the protest we have been in constructive discussion with the Palestine Coalition, as well as partners, residents, businesses, faith and community groups. We know Saturday’s event, so close to the third anniversary of the terror attack on Israel, has the potential to have a greater impact on communities than the previous national matches,” says Galvin.

Saturday’s demonstration is expected to attract between 7,000 and 10,000 participants across the planned events.

Anyone travelling through central London should anticipate disruption around Westminster Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, the Strand and Whitehall.

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London’s Oxford Street is set for one of its biggest transformations in decades, with cars, buses, taxis and bicycles banned from a major section from 26 October 2026.

Almost one kilometre of the famous shopping street, running between Orchard Street near Selfridges and Great Portland Street, will become traffic-free. The change forms part of Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan’s plans to turn Oxford Street into a more pedestrian-friendly destination and comes just weeks before the busy Christmas shopping season.

The move will not mean the entire length of Oxford Street is pedestrianised. However, it will remove vehicles from one of its busiest sections and significantly change how shoppers, commuters, buses and taxis move through the West End.

Buses, taxis and cars removed from Oxford Street

From Monday 26 October, vehicles will no longer be able to travel along Oxford Street between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. Buses will stop serving the affected stretch from the evening of Sunday 25 October, with preparations for the changes beginning a day earlier.

Affected bus services will instead be diverted onto surrounding roads, with new stops introduced on streets including Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place. Alternative bus stops will generally be around 200 metres from the traffic-free area, while Tube and rail services will continue operating normally.

Taxis, bicycles and other vehicles will also be diverted away from the pedestrianised section. Emergency vehicles will retain access, while controlled arrangements will remain for essential services such as refuse collection and street cleaning.

The changes are expected to create considerably more space for pedestrians on a street that attracts huge numbers of visitors. Oxford Street receives around half a million visitors each day, according to figures reported by ITV News.

New-look Oxford Street will be tested before permanent changes

The October launch marks the beginning of a phased transformation rather than the finished version of the new Oxford Street.

Initial changes will be temporary, allowing officials to assess how pedestrians, businesses, workers, residents and accessibility groups use the newly traffic-free space. Further improvements are expected to include seating and rest areas, trees and clearer signage.

Not everyone has welcomed the plans. Westminster City Council has previously raised concerns about accessibility, changes to bus routes and the impact on residents and surrounding streets. TfL’s modelling acknowledges that some nearby roads will experience increased traffic but says the wider impact should be manageable.