HALF-empty buses are to blame for congestion and the Queen Street closure could be a ‘blessing in disguise’, an Oxford hotelier has claimed.

Businessman Jeremy Mogford has called for a long-term strategy to solve traffic problems in the city as the county council prepares to close Queen Street when the Westgate centre reopens in October.

Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach hit out at the decision last month warning it would make congestion even worse.

But Mr Mogford, who owns hotels and restaurants in the city, said the buses were the problem and gridlock may be a ‘blessing in disguise’.

He said: “It might be a controversial thing to say but I want the closure to seize up Oxford and increase gridlock in both High Street and St Aldate’s.

“We will have to endure this self-inflicted pain, but the city and county councils will be forced to find a long-term solution to the congestion.”

Top councillors backed the closure last month after concerns buses would endanger thousands of extra shoppers expected in the street. The bus companies warned it would cause major disruption.

But the Old Bank and Old Parsonage owner said the firms were to blame.

He said: “The bus companies have blamed other traffic for congestion but that’s absolute nonsense.

“It’s predominantly caused by too many buses, often half-empty, all trying to reach the Gloucester Green bus station which is so obviously located in the wrong place.

“We don’t want big ugly double decker buses going through Oxford’s most historic streets all day every day.”

Oxford Bus Company managing director, Phil Southall, said: “Oxford has bucked the national trend in bus use growth over recent years and we expect up to 40 per cent further growth when the Westgate opens. The county council needs to work with us on a city centre strategy to keep things moving to ensure the economic success of the city and we are happy to engage in that work.

“Buses are an essential part of the city and are far from running empty, we only run buses in streets we need to.”

County council spokesman Martin Crabtree said: “Among the things proposed in the Oxford Transport Strategy are a zero emission zone, further pedestrianisation including Queen Street and the creation of off-street bus stations.”

In Saturday’s Oxford Mail, Cyclox campaign group chairman Simon Hunt said cyclists should be able to share Queen Street with pedestrians.