A CAMPAIGNER said buses should be allowed to continue using Queen Street in Oxford after it emerged there have been no accidents in the six months since the Westgate Centre reopened.

The county council and city council want to pedestrianise the busy street due to an increase in shoppers using the £440m Westgate, which opened in October.

But last year Transport Secretary Chris Grayling turned down the county council’s closure request and this year the street is being monitored, before the local authority will consider making another request.

After it emerged at a council meeting last week there had been no accidents involving buses since the centre reopened, Hugh Jaeger, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of Bus Users UK, said this added weight to the group’s campaign to keep Queen Street open to buses.

Mr Jaeger said: “When the street was partly pedestrianised in 2009 I asked for accident figures involving buses and as far as I am aware there hasn’t been one serious accident.

“I’m not surprised there haven’t been any accidents since Westgate reopened because bus drivers are experts at making sure they go slowly, avoiding pedestrians.

“When the centre reopened there was a boost in the number of shoppers, particularly outside the Bonn Square entrance, but bus drivers were so used to pedestrians wandering in front of their buses there really wasn’t a problem.

“I do think this latest information strengthens our case that buses should be allowed to stay in Queen Street.

“If that was agreed there could be fewer buses in St Aldate’s – at the moment it is so crowded there that buses sometimes bump wing mirrors.”

Liberal Democrat county councillor John Howson quizzed cabinet member for transport Yvonne Constance on the issue and was told no accidents had been reported.

He added: “I do think some buses should be allowed to stay, otherwise there is too much pollution in St Aldate’s, with some routes cut in half, including the X3 for Abingdon and Oxford.

“The level of buses in Queen Street seems to be working so I see no reason why that can’t continue.”

Oxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said: “Our position has always been that buses should be in Queen Street and we were confident there would be no safety issues. We are delighted that has been proved and there was no cause for alarm.”

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire director Martin Sutton said: “Safety is of paramount concern and I am pleased there have been no accidents involving Stagecoach buses in Bonn Square or Queen Street, since the Westgate opened.”

County council spokesman Martin Crabtree said: “Later this year, when we have the outcome of the monitoring of the present situation, with the Westgate Centre open, the county council will consider the next step.”