Sadiq Khan IGNORES warnings of turning Oxford Street into 'no-go' crime zone hell as he plans to BAN all vehicles from iconic road

Under the proposal, a 0.7 mile (1.1km) stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch would see traffic banned, with the potential for further expansion into Tottenham Court Road in the future.

The busy area, which has become blighted with pickpockets and shoplifters, is currently bus, taxi, and cycle only from 7am to 7pm Monday to Saturday, between Portman Street to Great Portland Street.

“Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain’s retail sector, but there’s no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade,” Khan said.

In 2018, Khan tried to stop vehicles going down the bustling street - which sees around half a million visitors everyday - however it was blocked by the then Conservative-run Westminster city council.

The bid has been backed by Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, who said pedestrianisation “will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to London’s night-time economy”.

As the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Rayner’s approval is crucial to the traffic ban implementation. Khan needs her permission to establish a new Mayoral Development Corporation, which would provide planning powers and allow the mayor to overrule the council.

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However, many have slammed the plans, saying that the lights from vehicles, as well as their presence alone, make people feel more at ease in the pickpocketing hotspot.

Recent viral videos have shown thieves on bikes snatching shopper's phone out of their hands, before quickly fleeing the scene.

Steve McNamara, of the London Taxi Drivers' Association, told The Telegraph: “My members have lost all confidence in the police. Of course, that’s compounded by the level of street crime that they witness on a daily basis.

“The big thing that our members witness on a daily basis is phone snatches in London. And so they’re thinking, well, what’s the point in me ringing up and reporting that when nobody’s doing anything about it?”

The Marylebone Association, which previously campaigned against pedestrianising the street, said Khan’s plans risk making the street even more dangerous.

“After dark, the street is very different to during the day, and having vehicles moving past makes it a lot more comfortable,” said a spokesman.

Others have cautioned that the plans could risk creating “a massive public protest area”, which could make individuals potentially feel unsafe.

There have also been warnings that the scheme could make it harder for disabled people to access the shops.

Laura Vicinanza, a spokesman for Inclusion London, the disability campaign group, said: “Fully pedestrianising Oxford Street would make it extremely difficult for disabled people, particularly people with mobility impairments to travel safely and independently.”

Westminster City Council chief executive Stuart Love said that for the past two years, the authourity has worked with businesses and resident groups to create a £90million "shovel ready" plan to improve the area without banning traffic.

Their plan would maintain direct bus access to Oxford Street, which they said was crucial to shoppers, workers, disabled, elderly, and those on low incomes.

He said: “The latest pedestrianisation proposal from the Mayor of London was only shared with us last Thursday.

“It will be important to receive further details about what is planned, including how long it could take to be delivered and how the concerns of local residents and users of the street will be addressed.

“We will want to know how they will benefit from any proposals, particularly given the practical challenges pedestrianisation may have for the wider area.'

He added: “The council intends to work constructively with the Mayor and the Government to ensure the best outcomes for local communities, businesses and London.”