CIVIC leaders in Oxford have urged county transport bosses to re-think key elements of Transform Oxford, a scheme to pedestrianise parts of the city centre.

Last year, Oxfordshire County Council unveiled the plan, which includes radical proposals to alter the city’s transport system.

Work to reduce the number of buses in Queen Street, to pave the way for its complete pedestrianisation, are due to start in the summer, with some bus stops relocated elsewhere.

County councillor Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport, has been presentating the plans to area committees across Oxford.

Now, Oxford Civic Society has given a detailed response to the proposals that were unveiled by the council at the end of last year.

Tony Joyce, chairman of the society, is urging the council to ditch proposals to fully pedestrianise George Street by 2010.

He fears the knock-on effect of more buses using St Giles will damage the environment around the Martyrs’ Memorial.

Mr Joyce said the society was also opposed to the creation of a new bus interchange at The Plain, to reduce the number of buses using the historic High Street.

Mr Joyce said: “The society concludes that on present evidence pedestrianising George Street and moving the buses northwards from Magdalen Street into St Giles is impractical, because of its adverse effect on two major city streets (St Giles and Beaumont Street) and on access by public transport to the city centre, the railway station and the West End.

“It also considers that the interests of all those living in the eastern half of the city and beyond must be protected when considering how far it is feasible to reduce the number of buses using the High Street.

“The proposal to force passengers to transfer to large shuttle buses at The Plain should be dropped as disruptive to bus services, and damaging to the environment in East Oxford.”

Mr Joyce said the society was anxious that plans to increase pedestrianisation did not harm well-established transport links.

He added: “There is no real need to pedestrianise George Street, and redesigning Frideswide Square should be tackled as a priority.

“We believe new government legislation will allow the council to negotiate with the bus companies to reduce the number of buses using routes like the High Street, so there will be no need for a new interchange at The Plain.

“The county’s initiative is good because it has provoked discussion, but we still need to see more detail.”

Last month, bus users criticised the county council for failing to provide enough details about the Transform Oxford plans, but Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport, said detailed proposals about work in Queen Street would be unveiled next month.

He said: “We welcome the report from the civic society and we will study it carefully as part of our consultation.

“We are talking to the city council leaders and discussions are ongoing.

“Next month, we will reveal where the Queen Street bus-stops will be relocated, so that work can start in the summer and be completed by autumn.

“We will be reducing buses to a single line of traffic and some routes will change.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk