KEY proposals in a new £1.2bn transport strategy for Oxford have been attacked by city leaders.

Bus tunnels under the city centre and new “rapid” bus routes are among the measures put forward by Oxfordshire County Council.

But Oxford City Council is set to oppose the tunnels and senior councillors have called the bus routes “unworkable”.

Bob Price, city council leader, said: “[The bus tunnels] are ludicrous. They would be very expensive and serve no practical purpose.

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The impact of putting the necessary infrastructure in place – so people could get from the tunnels to the surface – would have a huge and unacceptable impact on the city centre.”

The city council will respond to the proposals next week and is expected to also criticise routes proposed for the “rapid buses”, a tram-like service seen as a cheaper alternative to rail.

They will use zero-emission vehicles and serve the busiest routes that cross the city, such as Eynsham to Lodge Hill via the Northern Bypass and Headington, as well as Blackbird Leys to Kidlington through East Oxford and Summertown.

But city council executive board member for transport John Tanner said: “Using crowded roads like Cowley Road and London Road, or driving a bus lane across a golf course in Lye Valley, are unworkable.

“The county is right about the increase in journeys in future, but rapid transit buses it proposes will not provide the number of extra buses and seats needed.”

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County council bosses last week stressed the rapid bus network is still in conceptual stages, but putting it in place eventually is described as “vital” in the Oxford Transport Strategy.

The document describes how by 2035, buses could be phased out from the city centre and routed through underground tunnels between terminals at the north, east, south and west.

The county council estimates that it could cost upwards of £600m – half of the estimated total cost of the transport strategy. County council leader Ian Hudspeth said: “The tunnels have always been an idea at the end of the scale, but we are running out of kerb space in the city.”

To comment on the proposals, see consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/CO_LTP4