Harrods fears bus lane chaos

Harrods owner Mohammed Fayed today launched a last bid to halt plans for a bus lane opposite the store amid fears of traffic chaos for motorists and shoppers.

Mr Fayed's executives and London Chamber of Commerce held talks with Transport for London, which wants to introduce the plan on 11 November, the start of Christmas shopping.

He says he has written support from 100,000 shoppers, traders, the Knightsbridge Association and Tory London assembly members, Angie Bray and Roger Evans, who agree the 24-hour eastbound bus lane would cause traffic chaos and hit trade.

The store claims TfL officials didn't properly consult traders and residents behind the controversial plan. A Harrods spokesman told BBC London: "This coincides with the busiest time of the year for Knightsbridge. We were told this month this is going to happen and that was it."

The proposed route will run along part of the A4 from Montpelier Street to Beauchamp Place, opposite Harrods.

A TfL spokesman said officials were meeting with Harrods today.