The number of buses in London's Oxford Street could be almost halved under plans to pedestrianise Europe's busiest shopping street.

Transport for London (TfL) has proposed changing 23 bus routes as part of Mayor Sadiq Khan's pledge to make the street traffic-free by 2020.

It is hoped the measure will reduce congestion, improve safety and boost air quality.

Under the scheme, some buses would start and finish at Park Lane, Trafalgar Square and Tottenham Court Road rather than travel at "very low speed" along Oxford Street, TfL officials said.

A consultation has been opened on the changes, which could be implemented from summer 2017 ahead of the east-west Elizabeth line rail link being opened in December 2018.

TfL's director of strategy, Gareth Powell, said: "These proposals respond to the changing way people travel across central London and will do in the future.

"When the Elizabeth line services begin many more people will choose rail rather than road to get to and through the West End.

"By making these changes to bus services we can provide the right level of service and in the process we can make Oxford Street a safer and healthier place."

Jace Tyrrell, chief executive of the New West End Company business group, welcomed the proposals, saying they would "greatly help reduce congestion and improve air quality in London's retail heartland".