[BenL]

On that note...

Mayor's Oxford Street tram vision
One of London's busiest and most congested shopping streets could become a traffic-free zone with a tram running from end to end, the mayor has said.
Mayor Ken Livingstone outlined his vision to BBC London, saying he wants to transform Oxford Street into a road that is pleasant to stroll along.

He said the project would take up to seven years to complete.

The New West End Company, representing local retailers, said it was pleased with plans to make it a "people place".

Mr Livingstone said currently 40% of London bus routes run along the street, but he foresaw a terminus at the Marble Arch end to the west.

He added that he wanted to scrap the Marble Arch roundabout and transform the "tacky buildings" at the other end into a convention centre.

Negotiations were under way with the cab trade to run from north to south with dedicated pick-up points, he added.

He told BBC London 94.9: "You should have nothing in Oxford Street, and perhaps Lower Regent Street, just basically a proper dedicated tram service so people can hop on and off."

Transport report

A spokesman for the New West End Company said: "Everyone recognises that Oxford Street's challenge is congestion.

"We are pleased that the decision makers are looking at effective ideas that will address this issue and turn it into a people place."

Findings from a report by the company, the mayor and Westminster Council, looking into transport issues in Oxford Street are due to be released next month.

Last year Londoners were given a taste of a pedestrianised Oxford Street when vehicles were banned on two occasions to make way for Christmas shoppers and a street party in October.

The move proved popular, particularly with London's Liberal Democrats who called for a traffic ban by 2009 and trams by 2013.

Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/5301366.stm - 31 August 2006

Oxford Street facelift
Oxford Street in London is to get a £1 billion facelift. Traffic will be banned by 2013 to improve access to the area's 300 shops. A tramway will replace buses and taxis, while piazzas and pedestrianised zones will oust busy junctions and choked side streets. Sculptures will also be introduced. Attracting 200 million visitors a year, the West End is the country's most popular shopping destination. But Mayor Ken Livingstone, who has drawn up the plans, said: "The appearance of the area at the moment is pretty grim - especially for pedestrians.

Source: The Metro - 18 September 2006

I can't imagine a better mayor. Apparently the White City project will be the biggest mall in Europe and so bigger than Bluewater.