[graemep]

IMO the key is better public transport.

I never drive to London because a train will get me there faster, and I can rely public transport to get me to almost anywhere I want to get to. It can definitely be useful to have a car in the suburbs but not enough to be worth the trouble of driving one there.

The difficulty of parking and driving around the city centre is a deterrent, but to me it is secondary to the positive factors.

I do like pedestrianised areas, because they feel safe and clean. The main danger remaining is the cyclists of the "get out of my say" type, especially couriers and the like.