London: Part of London's Oxford Street, Britain's busiest shopping thoroughfare, became permanently traffic-free on Monday in an effort to revitalise the area and create a new public space to boost economic growth.
An almost 1-km (0.6-mile) section of Oxford Street between the Selfridges and IKEA stores is now closed to buses, cars, taxis, cycles, scooters and pedicabs.
The move has been more than two decades in the making. The pedestrianisation, part of a wider regeneration project, aims to restore Oxford Street's status as a leading global shopping destination alongside New York's Times Square, Paris' Champs-Élysées and Barcelona's La Rambla.
Oxford Street, which connects Bond Street and Regent Street and is home to John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Tiffany & Co and other retailers, has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic. The arrival of US candy stores has also deterred shoppers.
The pedestrianisation marks the first stage of the transformation, although construction will be limited ahead of Christmas, a busy shopping period.
Plans for 2027 include more than 50 new trees, 100 new seats, two public squares, rest areas, and improved signage and lighting.
Oxford Street attracts around half a million visitors every day, according to the mayor's office. However, several flagship stores, including House of Fraser and Topshop, have closed in recent years. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the area had been neglected.