TAXI drivers have slammed a "ridiculous" decision to ban cabs from an access road to the new Westgate Shopping Centre saying it could leave passengers stranded.

A decision on whether to prevent taxis using a new link between Castle Street and Speedwell Street was postponed last month to consult drivers on the issue.

But Oxfordshire County Council officers have now recommended the plans, which would also see Old Greyfriars Street restricted to bicycles, taxis and buses, for approval tomorrow.

The City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association (COLTA) had objected to the traffic management plans saying it would lead to longer taxi journeys and higher emissions as well as impacting on how efficiently passengers could be picked up from the new centre.

The group also felt it would effect elderly and disabled passengers using the shops as well as late-night revellers.

Sajjad Khan, secretary of COLTA, said: "It's a ridiculous decision and I don't know why they haven't taken our concerns on board.

"Banning us from the bus gate will lump us with the regular traffic and we won't be able to shuffle passengers around the city centre as we should be.

"It's a big blow and journeys will become longer."

The plans include installing a new taxi rank in Old Greyfriars Street with pedestrian walkways leading towards it.

The county council said it carefully considered the drivers' concerns but said it would "compromise the efficiencies of buses" but Mr Khan said it would leave passengers on the Oxpens side of the new £440m centre "stranded."

He said: "There is a taxi rank on one side but over the other side there will be people coming out of shops, restaurants and bars.

"These passengers will be stranded - we won't be able to take them up to New Road or towards the High Street and will have to do a long loop."

In compiling a report deputy director of environment and economy Mark Kemp said: "While careful consideration has been given to COLTA’s request for access to the link road, including the option of access only within the evening and

early morning period, it is considered ensuring that the traffic arrangements on the link road operate at all times as efficiently as possible for buses is critical.

"Given the very much higher numbers of passengers conveyed by buses as opposed to taxis this would inevitably be compromised were taxis permitted access."

City councillor and taxi driver Sajjad Malik said it was "vital" cabs had full access to the area.

He said: "Taxis should have access to the road because when it comes to a late-night environment we have to clear the place as soon as possible once the night ends.

"Black cabs should be allowed through and it is vital to get people from the clubs and bar to their homes safely and quickly.

"The council, the police and taxi drivers work very hard on doing that and everything should be done to make it easier."