Sir Cameron: Cycle lanes "useless"

The main causes are thought to be fears surrounding the foot-and-mouth crisis and the strength of the pound

Sir Cameron has previously warned that the city's transport and crime problems are putting people off coming to the theatre.

The man behind hit musicals such as Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables told the Radio Times that London needed to be made exciting and attractive again.

"I'm a great one for the regions, and think we should have more theatres there to produce future directors and actors, but London has to be Britain's showcase," said Sir Cameron.

"No other country in the world does everything in its power to stop the public from visiting its centre."

Fiasco He added: "Half the main arteries in London have been cut in half by useless cycle lanes because of a few barmy people who insist, 'We've got to have them.'

"Old-age pensioners are left standing outside for an hour after a show because police move their coaches."

He said Mayor of London Ken Livingstone did not seem to be the right man to stop the capital grinding to a halt.

And he accused London Underground of taking over from the Dome as the nation's fiasco.

Sir Cameron's big break came with Cats in 1981. Although many thought he and Lord Lloyd Webber would fail, Sir Cameron said they both had an "instinct" it would be a success.

His production company currently has five shows on in the West End, including Miss Saigon and the Witches of Eastwick.

Sir Cameron speaks to Tim Rice in Mr Musical, a six-part series on BBC Radio 2.