On Nov 24, 6:13*pm, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:59:16 -0000, "Mizter T"
wrote:

Generally speaking I can't get very worked up about it happening on just one
day a year, though I guess I hadn't entirely put two and two together to
connect this annual exercise to the wider push by Oxford Street traders to
reduce the number of buses going down 'their' street.

And looking at it from a wider perspective, I'd think the only way it's at
all remotely feasible to even begin contemplate pedestrianising Oxford
Street on a permanent basis would be if there was a tram that passed down
its length (or, I suppose, a - shock horror - uber frequent bendy bus type
shuttle arrangement, could even be a trolley bus). The knock-on consequences
of banishing all buses from Oxford Street would be immense though.

You might therefore like to read this correspondence

http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/m...DF.aspx?ID=752

and then this reply.

http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/m...F.aspx?ID=1192

Looks like the proponents of this (IMO) daft idea are not going to give
up pushing their particular agenda.
--
Paul C

The letter does make the point of making provision for those who are
disabled and with impaired mobility. Whilst making Oxford Street
traffic free may attract some people, it is also going to put off
other people. one of the attractions of having buses along Oxford
Street is that you can come out of Selfridges or M&S with bags of
heavy shopping and get straight on a bus to take you home. If you
have heavy or bulky shopping, it is not much fun trying to make your
way through the crowds to Oxford Circus tube, and then trying to push
your way on to a crowded train. Curtailing and diverting buses just
pushes the crowds elsewhere. (eg. With the C2 being suspended between
Portland Place and Victoria, anyone wanting to get from Victoria to
Camden Town is going to have to try the 24, or find a way on the
tube.)

Whilst you could stop some bus services short of Oxford Street and
provide a Red Arrow style shuttle service (using some of the redundant
bendys?) this may also entail the loss of through journeys. (eg.
curtailing the 73 at Tottenham Court Road or Euston would mean the
loss of a through service from Kings Cross to Victoria)

It will be interesting to see how the tube is affected this weekend,
and whether any stations are closed for overcrowding.

On Nov 25, 8:09*am, Paul wrote:
On Nov 24, 6:13*pm, Paul Corfield wrote:





On Wed, 24 Nov 2010 15:59:16 -0000, "Mizter T"
wrote:

Generally speaking I can't get very worked up about it happening on just one
day a year, though I guess I hadn't entirely put two and two together to
connect this annual exercise to the wider push by Oxford Street traders to
reduce the number of buses going down 'their' street.

And looking at it from a wider perspective, I'd think the only way it's at
all remotely feasible to even begin contemplate pedestrianising Oxford
Street on a permanent basis would be if there was a tram that passed down
its length (or, I suppose, a - shock horror - uber frequent bendy bus type
shuttle arrangement, could even be a trolley bus). The knock-on consequences
of banishing all buses from Oxford Street would be immense though.

You might therefore like to read this correspondence

http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/m...DF.aspx?ID=752

and then this reply.

http://www.london.gov.uk/moderngov/m...F.aspx?ID=1192

Looks like the proponents of this (IMO) daft idea are not going to give
up pushing their particular agenda.
--
Paul C

The letter does make the point of making provision for those who are
disabled and with impaired mobility. Whilst making Oxford Street
traffic free may attract some people, it is also going to put off
other people. one of the attractions of having buses along Oxford
Street is that you can come out of Selfridges or M&S with bags of
heavy shopping and get straight on a bus to take you home. *If you
have heavy or bulky shopping, it is not much fun trying to make your
way through the crowds to Oxford Circus tube, and then trying to push
your way on to a crowded train. Curtailing and diverting buses just
pushes the crowds elsewhere. (eg. With the C2 being suspended between
Portland Place and Victoria, anyone wanting to get from Victoria to
Camden Town is going to have to try the 24, or find a way on the
tube.)

Whilst you could stop some bus services short of Oxford Street and
provide a Red Arrow style shuttle service (using some of the redundant
bendys?) this may also entail the loss of through journeys. *(eg.
curtailing the 73 at Tottenham Court Road or Euston would mean the
loss of a through service from Kings Cross to Victoria)

*It will be interesting to see how the tube is affected this weekend,
and whether any stations are closed for overcrowding.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

PS. Perhaps the situation will only improve when Crossrail starts
running. This will provide crucial extra capacity.

On 2010\11\25 08:09, Paul wrote:

Whilst making Oxford Street
traffic free may attract some people,

I think it is unlikely that a single person will be attracted to Oxford
Street by this, apart from environmentalist nutcases who will spend all
day sneering at the filthy capitalist shops and at the sheeple who
actually buy things.

Basil Jet wrote:
On 2010\11\25 08:09, Paul wrote:

Whilst making Oxford Street
traffic free may attract some people,

I think it is unlikely that a single person will be attracted to Oxford
Street by this, apart from environmentalist nutcases who will spend all
day sneering at the filthy capitalist shops and at the sheeple who
actually buy things.


On the contrary, it appears to have been a remarkable success:


West End 'record sales' as 1 million shop on no traffic day

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11853632

Retailers in London's West End said their "strongest trading day in
three years" has seen one million shoppers visit stores on a
traffic-free day.

Oxford Street and Regent Street were closed to all traffic from 1000
GMT on Saturday for seven hours.

The New West End Company, representing stores, said it expected up to
two million shoppers to visit the area over the weekend, spending up
to £250m.

More than 100 stores participated in the event, named Shop West End
VIP Day.

Money raised by entertainers and fundraisers on the two streets will
also be going to the Starlight Children's Foundation charity, which
grants the wishes of seriously ill children.

'Stonking Saturday'

At least 1,000 buses were re-routed from Oxford Street and Regent
Street.

Organiser Richard Dickinson, chief executive officer of New West End
Company, said: "London's West End welcomed over one million shoppers.

"Retailers are reporting that average transaction size is up today
compared with the same day last year, creating stonking Saturday sales
like no other day in the run up to Christmas."

Dynasty Actress Emma Samms, founder of Starlight Children's
Foundation, said: "Thank you to every shopper that made a donation and
to the retailers and the inspirational performers who today supported
Starlight Children's Foundation.

"Together, an amazing contribution has been made and it will help
Starlight grant wishes and provide hospital entertainment to brighten
the lives of many sick children this Christmas."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11853632

On 2010\11\27 20:23, Bruce wrote:
Basil wrote:
On 2010\11\25 08:09, Paul wrote:

Whilst making Oxford Street
traffic free may attract some people,

I think it is unlikely that a single person will be attracted to Oxford
Street by this, apart from environmentalist nutcases who will spend all
day sneering at the filthy capitalist shops and at the sheeple who
actually buy things.

On the contrary, it appears to have been a remarkable success:

West End 'record sales' as 1 million shop on no traffic day
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11853632

Thanks.