‘It’s a better experience’: shoppers praise Oxford Street pedestrianisation
Many punters say inconvenience of bus rerouting is small price to pay for more space, but not everyone is happy To the east of Oxford Circus, there is chaos.
By The Guardian
Shoppers have welcomed the pedestrianisation of part of Oxford Street, saying the extra space makes visiting the London shopping district a better experience.
The traffic-free section, which opened on Monday, 26 October, runs between Orchard Street and Great Portland Street. It is closed to cars, buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, cycles, scooters and pedicabs.
Visitors described the quieter, more open street as easier to walk through and less chaotic. Some said the inconvenience caused by diverted bus routes was a small price to pay for being able to cross the road more comfortably and spend more time browsing the shops.
The change has not received universal approval. Smaller traders in nearby side streets have raised concerns about the effect on their businesses, while some shoppers have criticised the disruption caused by the new transport arrangements.
Buses that previously travelled along the affected stretch have been diverted on to surrounding roads, including Wigmore Street, Henrietta Place and Cavendish Place. New stops have been placed around 200 metres from the pedestrianised area.
Businesses including Selfridges and John Lewis have backed the scheme. The first stage covers almost a kilometre of Oxford Street, with further changes dependent on how the initial section performs.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the traffic-free area would give shoppers more space and support retailers ahead of the Christmas trading period.