Oxford Street in London is closing to traffic: details of a large-scale experiment.

According to The Sun: Today, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world is closed to all vehicles.

Oxford Street in London is having a car-free day, a topic that has been discussed for decades.

Alamy

Londoners can visit this street without cars from 12:00 to 22:00.

With half a million visitors daily, Oxford Street has long been a popular shopping destination.

However, studies have shown that spending by shoppers here is significantly lower compared to neighboring areas.

Whether this is related to poor air quality or a high number of accidents is still unclear.

Previous plans for a pedestrian zone

The Mayor of London and entrepreneurs agreed that turning the street into a pedestrian area may be the only way forward.

According to a recent survey, nearly two-thirds of respondents supported this idea, BBC reports.

However, plans for a pedestrian zone have been discussed for decades, and many local residents have opposed this decision.

Redirecting traffic will require changing routes for 35 buses per hour in each direction.

Sadiq Khan included the pedestrian zone for Oxford Street in his 2016 election program, and plans for its implementation began to progress.

However, local residents planned to protest against pedestrianization during the elections.

Faced with this challenge, Westminster Council changed its mind.

id='6379184541112' data-video-id='6379184541112' data-account='5067014667001' data-player='default' data-usage='cms:WordPress:6.5.6:2.8.6:javascript' data-embed='default' class='video-js' data-application-id='' controls style='width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;'>

Mayor Sadiq Khan called this change of decision a 'betrayal', but the issue remained unresolved.

Any plan for pedestrianization must be approved before the next local elections in the summer for further advancement.

Sunday - a car-free day

The street is officially closed to traffic from 12:00 to 22:00 on Sunday, September 21.

Live performances will occur in the car-free zone, including the London Gothic Choir and a Brazilian Brass Band.

There will also be story stations, art sessions, and samba workshops.

Visitors can expect interactive installations from Topshop, NBA, Body Shop, and the Twist museum.

Additionally, there will be an exhibition about the history of Oxford Street.

The Mayor noted that the car-free day is a 'significant step forward' in his commitment to pedestrianizing this street.

He shared plans to 'reveal the true potential of Oxford Street to create a world-class, accessible, and clean street for all while we continue to build a better London for everyone.'

More about shopping streets

One of the retail giants launched a sale with a 70% discount due to the closure of three of its stores.

Meanwhile, the worst city in the UK in terms of street closures has been identified.

And, moreover, an iconic British brand plans to return to Britain's shopping street after five years of absence.