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@Daveypants
Things like toe clips and downhills just take a bit of getting used to. On my first few rides with toe clips I freaked out a couple of times - couldn't get into them off the lights crossing a big dual carriageway so I panicked and pulled over. Once your develop the 'muscle memory' for it though, you don't even have to think about it - same goes for big hills, you just learn to spin and use your brake if necessary. I also couldn't deal with weaving in traffic when I first started riding fixed, but actually you have so much more control at low speeds I think I'd find it harder on a freewheel now.
Give it another go - if it doesn't feel any more comfortable then go with gears. You want to be confident with what you're riding on London streets given the amount of dirtbags on the road.