• I READ with interest Peter Hartley’s response to my June 16 letter (Pedestrianisation is a must, June 23) and I was concerned about several comments which were inaccurate which I would like to put right.

I do not live “close by” Oxford Street so I will not be subject to the difficulties feared by those who do – for example, increased pollution, displaced traffic leading to more road traffic accidents etc.

Nor did I question that such accidents occur in Oxford Street, but it is arguable whether the nature of the surrounding streets may lead to more accidents than are currently experienced in Oxford Street not less.

To argue that “retaining traffic is not an option” is clearly incorrect. I support actions to improve air quality and safety in Oxford Street but I do not think full pedestrianisation is the only answer.

I hope that the Mayor and TfL have not already decided on their course of action as the public consultation has not been completed and they must look at the responses with an open mind to make it meaningful.

Nor do I need to talk to anyone about being the subject of road traffic accidents. Some years ago I was standing outside the building where I worked, on the pavement, yes on the pavement, when a lorry reversed and knocked me between the wheels.

Fortunately my injuries were not as devastating as those suffered by Tom Kearney but this proved that such incidents occur far from Oxford Street.

My letter clearly stated that I do not have a car so I cannot be one of the people who complain about air quality but continue to drive around at will. In any event my main concern was the provision of bus services. Not about the use of private cars.

TfL have already reduced the number of bus routes which use Oxford Street and are continuing to do this. No doubt the Elizabeth line will provide extra capacity and will reduce the need for buses in some areas. This will not help people like myself who are unable to use the tube and rely completely on buses to get around London.

The buses I use to go north of Baker Street are rarely “mainly empty for large parts of the day” as there are now fewer routes going in that direction and only one (the 139) which goes directly from south of Oxford Circus. Even late in the evening it’s often standing room only for some parts of the route.

Mr Hartley suggests that Wigmore Street “is a perfectly adequate road for bus travel”. It has sometimes been used for short periods if Oxford Street is not available. This has resulted in major traffic delays especially when the buses were turning right at the top of Wigmore Street to go across Oxford Circus into Regent Street.

While Wigmore Street could support a few routes it could not do so for them all without major disruption. The other factor to consider is that when Wigmore Street was used temporarily for all buses there were no bus stops which TfL established along the street at all. Passengers alighted as the buses turned into Wigmore Street and did not stop until they reached the top of Regent Street.

Mr Hartley did compare pedestrianising Oxford Street to Carnaby Street in a previous article. He said: “Displacement is never as bad as it is painted to be. Take any pedestrianised area in London, Carnaby, Leicester Square… they were all going to be horror stories when they were pedestrianised. The first month may be difficult but after that it’s history.” His words speak for themselves.

The first part of the consultation is over. I await with interest the second phase. I hope that I will continue to be able to travel to and through Oxford Street but if I can’t I will have to adjust my shopping, eating and travelling plans to take advantage of the many excellent facilities available in other areas that I can reach by bus.

I would again urge everyone who will be adversely affected by complete pedestrianisation to make sure their voices are loudly heard at that time.

SUSAN KAYE, NW8