Suryaa Now International Desk: A new era has dawned on Oxford Street, the busiest and most famous commercial center of British capital London. Decades of discussion... A new era has dawned on Oxford Street, the busiest and most famous commercial center of British capital London. The proposal, which has been in the negotiation stage for decades, has finally taken shape. The authorities have taken a decision to completely exclude vehicular traffic from an area of about one kilometer on this world-famous shopping street.
Home to leading department stores and international brands, the main area is trying to bring a new art to the retail scene by making it pedestrian-only. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and the local development agency jointly initiated this historic change. Under the new policy, cars, buses, taxis and bicycles will be completely banned from entering a key stretch of about a kilometer from Selfridges near Orchard Street to Great Portland Street. Businesses on this popular street have slowed somewhat over the past few years due to the rise of online shopping and the aftermath of the pandemic. The city's governing body believes that this change in footfall is crucial to reversing this decline and attracting back foreign tourists and local consumers.
Bus services running in the area have been diverted to nearby streets and alternative transport arrangements have been made to avoid any inconvenience to the passengers. The face of this shopping hub is going to change completely as vehicular traffic stops. Pedestrian access is allowed at all times, with emergency service vehicles and goods lorries permitted only during designated night hours. In the near future, this area will be landscaped with more greenery, benches and attractive arrangements for relaxation. Experts believe that this historic decision will not only give a fresh impetus to the retail sector in London, but will also set an example for other cities in the world.
