Sir Sadiq Khan has come under fire over his plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street and potentially increase the Congestion Charge for millions of drivers.
During a heated London Assembly session, the London Mayor defended his controversial decision to increase fees for motorists as well as introduce more restrictions.
The Congestion Charge hikes could see prices rise from £15 to £18, with a consultation on the plans currently underway.
During a heated London Assembly meeting, Conservative Assembly Member Susan Hall challenged Khan about his "insistence on pushing through the Oxford Street pedestrianisation" despite many details remaining unclear.
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The plans would see the Congestion Charge in the city increase to £18 while also banning cars from Oxford Street
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Hall criticised the Mayor for refusing to attend an afternoon session specifically dedicated to answering questions about the scheme.
"We're here asking people about the pedestrianisation that many of us have got issues with and we'd like the person that's responsible to be here answering the questions," Hall told the Mayor during the transport committee meeting.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat member Hina Bokhari questioned: "Doesn't the announcement from Westminster Council about proposals to pedestrianise Regent Street demonstrate that local councils are perfectly capable of coming up with their own locally appropriate proposals without you taking away their powers?"
Khan welcomed Westminster's announcement but defended his separate Oxford Street plans, insisting they would "complement" the Regent Street scheme.
READ MORE: Sadiq Khan urged to ban vehicle traffic with new plans launched to pedestrianise London's West End
The Mayor faced questions from the London Assembly on the plans to pedestrianise Oxford Street
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Last week, Westminster City Council unveiled its own ambitious pedestrianisation plans for Regent Street, announcing proposals to create over 35,000 square metres of traffic-free public space in partnership with The Crown Estate.
The council's initiative aims to make Regent Street St James's traffic-free and significantly expand pedestrian areas around Piccadilly Circus.
Councillor Geoff Barraclough explained that by removing traffic from Regent Street, St James’s, and expanding pedestrian space at Piccadilly Circus, "we’re creating a new network of public spaces that will serve Londoners for generations".
"This is a rare opportunity to reimagine the heart of the West End as a greener, more welcoming and accessible place that works better for residents, visitors and local businesses alike," he added.
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On a separate issue, Assembly members questioned Khan's commitment to drivers, with Conservative member Emma Best arguing that removing "safe and relatively cheap parking" at stations in favour of housing developments would be particularly disadvantageous for women who feel vulnerable travelling at night.
Khan firmly rejected suggestions he was neglecting vulnerable groups, stating: "I choose affordable housing that Londoners need over surplus car park spaces."
Assembly Member Neil Garratt challenged the Mayor over the Labour Government's requirement for "five years of cumulative inflation-busting fare rises on Londoners".
When pressed on whether Londoners could afford such increases, Khan acknowledged it would be "a challenge in terms of the cost of living crisis".
The Mayor has launched a consultation on increasing the Congestion Charge fee
PAGarratt pointed out that at current inflation rates, this could mean a 27 per cent increase in travelling costs over five years.
Khan also expressed disappointment with the Treasury's lack of support for major infrastructure projects, despite securing what he called "the biggest capital funding settlement in more than a decade" for TfL.
"I want to go faster and further to make it fit for the future. And that's why it was disappointing there was no commitment from the Treasury to invest in the new infrastructure London needs," Khan told the Assembly.
TfL Commissioner Andy Lord also confirmed that the organisation is "tackling toxic air and addressing the climate emergency" through measures including the expanded Ulez and the rollout of zero emission buses.
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