Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has defended the Mini-Holland cycling scheme, saying it has introduced a “Mediterranean café style” in Waltham Forest.

Sadiq Khan visited Central Parade in Hoe Street, Walthamstow, to show his support for the small business enterprise which opened last summer.

He says the Mini-Holland, which has seen roads in Walthamstow closed to motorists to allow cyclists to pass through, is an "important" way to combat pollution.

He said: “I have seen restaurants and cafes benefiting from Mini Holland here in Walthamstow.

“It is a Mediterranean café style and we have got to have clean air here in London.

“There are children whose lung health is affected by pollution and 10,000 Londoners are dying every year due to pollution.”

Mr Khan said pedestrianised roads in Walthamstow have increased business for shops and cafes and insisted business owners are happy with the scheme.

But a restaurant manager in Orford Road, Walthamstow, told the Guardian in August that because the road is closed to cars from 10am until 10pm customers cancel their bookings due to a lack of parking.

Patrick Khan, manager of Eat 17 on Orford Road, said: “We have one or two people cancelling their bookings every week.

“Customers tell us the real issue is a lack of parking and they have a big issue with fines.

“We used to have parking in front of the restaurant but since last summer we don’t.

“Some more parking in a side road would help.”