London: Oxford Street goes car-free

On 26 October almost a kilometre of London’s most famous shopping street, from Orchard Street to Great Portland Street, was closed to cars, buses, taxis, bikes and scooters. Around half a million people visit it every day.

This is only the first stage. From 2027 trees will be planted, benches added and two new squares created. According to the assessment cited by Positive News, the project will bring £82 million and 700 jobs to the local economy. Mayor Sadiq Khan called the day a “new era” for London.

The charity Guide Dogs backed the project: for 214,000 Londoners with sight loss, the centre will become easier and safer to walk. Not everyone is happy, as some businesses and taxi drivers are critical. But for people living in Spanish towns, a pedestrian centre is a long familiar and much loved thing.