‘It’s magical’: London’s iconic Oxford Street goes vehicle-free

Oxford Street opened its first permanently pedestrianised section on Monday, between Great Portland Street and Orchard Street. Walkers including Muneera Alfadhel and Mark Arbouine welcomed the chance to use the roadway, describing the street as more enjoyable and easier to navigate. The one-kilometre shopping thoroughfare generates about 1 percent of the UK’s annual GDP, but its footfall has fallen to 57 percent of its 2006 level. City Hall estimates partial pedestrianisation could generate more than $109 million a year and support 700 additional jobs.