Jeremy Vine says automobiles ought to be banned from main London leisure district as critics say transfer would harm companies
Jeremy Vine has said cars should be banned from a major London entertainment district prompting critics to hit back and warn the move would hurt businesses.
The TV show host, known for his cycling escapades in the capital, responded to a video shared by fellow presenter Lewis Goodall highlighting the ‘benefits’ of traffic restrictions.
The footage showcased Charing Cross Road in the aftermath of road closures on Sunday last week for Chinese New Year celebrations with an accompanying caption that read ‘whenever you take cars away, cities get better’.
Re-posting, Mr Vine said: ‘100% this. Why cars and vans are still allowed through Soho at all hours is anyone’s guess’.
But his comments were met with opposition from critics, escalating a comments war between the 59-year-old presenter and his opponents.
One person said: ‘So that the vans can deliver things might be one reason. Plumbers, builders. I mean I can think of lots of reasons why vans would be allowed to service the centre of a city.’
Someone else commented: ‘Well let’s think Jeremy. There are the disabled. Less abled. The elderly. Those that might feel vulnerable. Do you wish me to continue?!’
Mr Vine simply responded: ‘The elderly can’t cycle? I hadn’t heard that.’

Footage showcased Charing Cross Road in the aftermath of pedestrianisation on Sunday last week with an accompanying caption that read ‘whenever you take cars away, cities get better’

One person said: ‘So that the vans can deliver things might be one reason. Plumbers, builders. I mean I can think of lots of reasons why vans would be allowed to service the centre of a city’

Someone else commented: ‘Well let’s think Jeremy. There are the disabled. Less abled. The elderly. Those that might feel vulnerable. Do you wish me to continue?!’
Another person said: ‘What about shops and coffee outlets. How do they get stock? What about when there is an electrical fault a a property. You want a sparky to turn up with a cart and donkey?’
But Mr Vine replied: ‘For God’s sake. 98% of Soho traffic is not doing any of that.’
Mr Vine, who lives in west London with his wife and daughters, frequently documents his journeys around the capital via bike, often uploading clips of ‘dangerous motorists’ to social media.
Someone said on his post: ‘People need deliveries to get places and people live there and have cars.
‘Soho is no worse than it ever has been for cars and the more you push off other roads then smaller ones get it. I don’t find walking round Soho a problem. It’s busy and that’s fine.’
The presenter responded: ‘Oh? So nowhere can be pedestrianised ‘because vans’. This is a failed argument. Soho is dangerous and nasty because of traffic. 98% of it is not delivering anything.’

Footage showcased Charing Cross Road in the aftermath of pedestrianisation on Sunday last week with an accompanying caption that read ‘whenever you take cars away, cities get better’

Soho is an area in Westminster in the West End of London famous for its bars and night clubs

Jeremy Vine on a bike ride in Central London pictured in March 2024

The presenter responded: ‘Oh? So nowhere can be pedestrianised ‘because vans’. This is a failed argument. Soho is dangerous and nasty because of traffic. 98% of it is not delivering anything’

Another person asked: ‘What about shops and coffee outlets. How do they get stock? What about when there is an electrical fault a a property. You want a sparky to turn up with a cart and donkey?’