Westminster City Council's Conservative group has proposed an amendment to the Labour administration's budget, targeting the mayor's Oxford Street pedestrianization plan. Mayor Sadiq Khan argues that the project will revitalize the location, which suffers from empty shops and low-quality stores. He intends to create a mayoral development corporation to oversee changes, which the Labour leadership has agreed to cooperate on, despite suggesting that such a corporation is unnecessary. Opposition claims focus on accessibility issues and fears regarding funding the project through business taxes.
Sir Sadiq plans to oversee the pedestrianisation by taking control of Oxford Street from the council, creating a new mayoral development corporation along its length.
The borough's Labour leadership said an MDC was not necessary to deliver change along the street, but has pledged to work pragmatically with Sir Sadiq.
Westminster's Conservative opposition believes the scheme will make Oxford Street less accessible and push traffic and pollution onto surrounding roads.
Mr Swaddle criticized the mayor's funding claims, suggesting businesses fear it will lead to tax raids to support the project.
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