London’s Oxford Street has been closed to cars and buses, turning the once‑busy thoroughfare into a vehicle‑free zone. The change, which came into effect recently, means pedestrians now have the entire street to themselves.
Retailers on the street say the move should bring a boost to footfall. “With no traffic, shoppers can move more freely and spend more time in the shops,” one shop owner said.
However, some residents in the area have expressed concerns about the change. They worry that the new arrangement could bring increased congestion from pedestrians and shoppers, and that it may affect local traffic patterns.
Oxford Street is one of London’s most famous shopping destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. The vehicle‑free experiment is part of a broader effort to improve the pedestrian experience on the city’s busiest retail streets.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>