The Hay St mall was created first. Murray St was malled later in order to minimise the disruption caused to traffic by political rallies traditionally held in Forrest Place leading from Murray St to the Railway Station the other side of Wellington St, and because merchants on Murray St were complaining that Hay St was getting an unfair advantage. A third pedestrian mall has been created in James St, north of the railway, as a cultural square linking the Art Gallery, Museum, Alexander Library and the Institute of Contemporary Art. Actually, the original design was even more horrible, but the Cabinet prevailed upon Premier Court to have it modified. Many people preferred a traditional, historic theme which would have suited the character of the area and the history of the bells.
Pedestrians fare badly in Perth.
All pedestrian movement is regulated by the traffic lights at the major intersections, and there is a constant wash of vehicles on all streets. Sidewalks in Perth are variable, depending on the age of the canyon walls. In some parts, the shops were built close up to the street. Generally, pedestrians stay away from the scruffier parts, so there is more room. From William St up to Shafto Lane on both Hay and Murray, throngs of shoppers limit one's walking space.