Sir Sadiq Khan's plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street could be in jeopardy after the local elections, with the Conservatives vowing to cancel the project.
The London Mayor has outlined plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street in a bid to improve conditions for all road users and boost shopping in the area.
Plans launched by the Mayor stated that cars could be banned from the shopping district by this summer, with trials already taking place to show how the project would work.
However, the proposals could face legal challenges to delay the scheme after a change in power of Westminster Council.
In the recent local elections, voting took place across all 18 wards, with the Conservatives taking 32 seats and Labour winning 22 seats.
As part of the Westminster Conservatives' 100-day plan, it confirmed that it would consult with residents properly, rather than "ignoring local concerns".
It stated: "We will stand up for Oxford Street, for accessible transport and for the right of local people to shape decisions about their own area."
The plan stated that the Oxford Street underground station is not step-free, and removing buses from the route would "shut residents out of their own local high street".
London Mayor Sadiq Khan could be challenged over his plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street
|PA
The Westminster Conservatives stated that they would set up a legal fighting fund to challenge Sir Sadiq Khan in the courts and protest against the pedestrianisation plans.
It pledged to protect bus routes and demanded a meeting with the Mayor to urge Mr Khan to U-turn on his plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street.
The plan added: "We will use every lever available to the Council, including the planning process, highways powers and public scrutiny, to ensure that local people are heard through genuine consultation and that Oxford Street continues to work for the people who live here."
Mayor Sadiq Khan first announced the plans in February last year, with a consultation receiving more than 6,000 responses, many of which were in support of the measures.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The proposed plans for the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street | TRANSPORT FOR LONDONHe emphasised that London's Oxford Street could become a global leader for shopping and outdoor events, noting that "urgent action" was needed.
Sir Khan suggested that the new proposals could help the shopping district compete with the likes of Times Square in New York and the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
He added: "This would help to unlock the true potential of Oxford Street and attract more international visitors, bringing the world to London and showcasing the best of London to the world.
"It would act as a magnet for new investment and job-creation, driving growth and economic prosperity for decades to come."
A traffic-free day took place last September and saw all cars banned from Oxford Street
| PAA trial on Oxford Street was held last September, which featured stalls and events from the likes of the National Basketball Association and The Body Shop.
More than two-thirds of shops along Oxford Street reported similar or higher sales compared to a typical Sunday, supporting calls for the pedestrianisation plan to go ahead.
A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told GB News: "The Mayor is moving ahead rapidly with the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street and hopes to see the first section going traffic-free by the end of this summer.
"He looks forward to continuing to work closely with all stakeholders on these plans to create a beautiful pedestrian-friendly public space for shopping, events and enjoyment - making Oxford Street a place for all."