Part of London's Oxford Street pedestrianized 'forever'
LONDON — A stretch of London's iconic Oxford Street was made traffic-free "forever" starting Monday, as pedestrians took over the country's most famous shopping street, absent of the capital's red double-decker buses and black cabs. "This is a momentous day for Oxford Street, but also for London," Mayor Sadiq Khan told reporters on the thoroughfare, one of the busiest shopping zones in Europe. "I…
London's renowned Oxford Street has been transformed into a pedestrian-only zone, starting from Monday. The iconic shopping street, known for its bustling atmosphere, will now be free of traffic, as pedestrians now have the privilege of strolling along this famous thoroughfare, free from the presence of London's iconic red double-decker buses and black cabs.
This significant change was announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan, who expressed his commitment to supporting the numerous shops lining Oxford Street. He noted that nearly half of the street will be pedestrianized forever, adding that this move would likely boost the number of shoppers. Oxford Street generates an impressive £3.1 billion ($4.1 billion) in annual spending, but the zone has faced challenges, such as the closure of shops during the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in footfall due to the shift towards online shopping.
Khan acknowledged that the street has experienced a managed decline over the past couple of decades, with luxury retailers, clothing chains, and department stores lining its length. Despite these challenges, Khan is not willing to let shops leave and jobs go, and he welcomed the pedestrianization as a way to preserve the vibrant character of Oxford Street.
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- Part of London's Oxford Street pedestrianized 'forever' koreatimes.co.kr
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