A group of retailers and property owners have signed a letter demanding that the proposed Bond Street Crossrail station must go ahead.

Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose, Debenhams CEO Rob Templeman and Selfridges boss Paul Kelly are among those who have signed the letter, as have John Lewis MD Andy Street, House of Fraser chief executive John King and Jaeger and Aquascutum boss Belinda Earl along with a host of commercial landlords.

There is speculation today that the station will be shelved to save money on the mammoth cross-London rail project. But the letter - co-ordinated by the New West End Company - warns that “Speculated cuts to the scope and scale of Crossrail, including the possible loss of a planned station in the West End, are misguided and could stall the nation’s long-term recovery.”

There is particular anger because retailers are being expected to partially fund the new line through an additional levy on business rates, but without the Bond Street station, most of Oxford Street will not be served by it.