Buses back in Cornmarket could harm trade, retail leader warns

Buses have been banned from the street since 1999 as part of the Oxford Transport Strategy.

But in January transport consultants Phil Jones Associates proposed a two-loop bus system and one-way traffic system to 'end the dominance of buses'.

The north-to-east loop would use Longwall Street, High Street, Cornmarket Street and, in one case, Broad Street and Holywell Street, and the city and county councils are considering the recommendations.

It comes after a number of businesses in Cornmarket expressed concern about a reduction in footfall following the opening of the new Westgate Centre last October.

Some retailers, including Next and River Island relocated from Cornmarket to the new centre.

Retail expert Keith Slater said he was opposed to the return of buses to Cornmarket.

He added: "I don't think traders would want the buses stopping in the street.

"I'm very much an advocate of keeping Cornmarket and Queen Street free from buses – I think that's best for shopping.

"The footfall in Cornmarket is very regular – it peaks every day at 1pm – and boosting the number of shoppers will be achieved by filling the empty units, not bringing back buses."

All the consultants' options would see buses banned from Queen Street and George Street.

At present buses are allowed to use Queen Street, although the city and county councils are in favour of pedestrianisation.

Graham Jones, of ROX - Promoting Oxford Business, which represents city centre traders, said he had spoken to a number of traders in Cornmarket Street and they were not in favour of the return of buses.

He added: "Of course it would enable connectivity but I don't think it would boost trade in Cornmarket.

"Following the opening of Westgate there is bound to be some rebalancing in the city centre over the next two years but I do think new chains will come in to Cornmarket in due course."

Covered Market traders have complained that the reduction in the number of shops in Cornmarket Street has had a knock-on effect on the number of shoppers using the market.

But Hugh Jaeger, a spokesman for the Oxford branch of Bus Users UK, is keen for buses to return to Cornmarket Street because it would improve connectivity for passengers.

He said: "It's time to reconsider the all-out ban on buses in Cornmarket.

"Bringing them back would repurpose a street that fewer shoppers seem to be using for shopping.

"Buses would only use the street in one direction and I don't think they would actually stop in the street itself."

Last year the city and county councils announced their plan to create what is believed to be the first Zero Emission Zone.

In the scheme, all petrol and diesel vehicles would gradually be banned from most of Oxford city centre over the next 17 years, starting with six streets in 2020.

Mr Jones said he was not sure how bringing buses back to Cornmarket would fit with these plans.

Phil Southall, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, said allowing a limited number of buses back into Cornmarket would be 'good for the city centre as it could relieve pressure elsewhere'.

He added: "Other changes to city centre routes would also have to take place too, to deliver positive improvements in public realm, particularly in Magdalen Street East and George Street, and pressure points such as St Aldate's could be relieved."

Stagecoach in Oxfordshire managing director Martin Sutton said: "Allowing a limited number of buses back in Cornmarket could achieve a number of benefits such as the re-introduction of cross-City links and relieving the pressure on other streets such as St Aldate's, High Street and Magdalen Street.

"It should certainly be considered in the light of the wider context of how people move around in the city centre in the future.

“An open mind should be kept on Cornmarket until all options for the city centre have been fully evaluated.”