TWO major projects risk damaging Oxford’s identity and worsening its delicate transport network, heritage campaigners have warned.

The Oxford Civic Society (OCS) said the proposed £400m Westgate development has not taken into account the planned Oxpens revamp.

It said both proposals were likely to clog already busy roads and neglect cyclists.

And it warned the Oxford Castle Quarter could become isolated as shopping centre developers look to push people towards the new complex.

OCS chairman Peter Thompson said the Westgate plans were an attempt to make Oxford “like Milton Keynes and Reading”.

According to the society, both the Oxpens and Westgate developments would significantly change how people travel through Oxford, whether by car, bicycle or on foot.

The upgraded Westgate Centre would include a new John Lewis store, multi-screen cinema, terraced restaurant area and 1,100-space underground car park.

As part of the Westgate proposals, Norfolk Street would be altered to create a major bus route running from Thames Street to New Road.

And there are plans to completely pedestrianise St Ebbe’s Street between Queen Street and Pembroke Street.

Under the Oxpens Masterplan, houses and flats, offices, research and development space, amenities, green space, a hotel and a public square could all feature.

Mr Thompson said: “It is hard to see how the redevelopment and extension of Westgate can ignore plans which will effectively establish the future context into which it is to be placed.”

But Oxford City Council said the two developments would “clearly” work in tandem and there had been numerous discussions concerning the changes.

City council leader Bob Price said: “The transport situation has been very heavily scrutinised and the county council officers have had key input into how everything will work.

“The civic society has not been privy to a lot of the discussions which have gone on regarding traffic flow and how the developments will fit together.”

Gary Pleasants, spokesman for Land Securities, which runs the Westgate centre, said: “We are aware of the civic society’s views and welcome all input while the consultation is still open. We are working very closely with Oxford City Council and will always take into account other regeneration projects in the city.”

Consultation on the Westgate development ends on Monday. Visit westgateoxford consultation.co.uk/your-views