A FREE bus shuttle service could clear the way for a new scheme to develop Oxford’s St Clement’s car park.

Traders had warned that they could be driven out of business, through the loss of car parking for a year, while accommodation for 140 students was built on the car park site.

A temporary car park for 65 vehicles off Marston Road, near the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, was proposed by developers last week when they unveiled new plans. But faced with complaints that the temporary car park would be too far away, the developers are now investigating the idea of a shuttle service that would run between the temporary car park and St Clements.

The idea was put forward by traders last weekend at an exhibition showing new building designs for the Oxford City Council owned car park.

An earlier proposal sparked months of protests from residents and traders about the loss of car parking and the impact on the conservation area, near Magdalen Bridge. Traders had expressed disappointment that the temporary car park was no closer to businesses than the one proposed with the earlier scheme.

It is about 0.6 mile – or a 12-minute walk – from the temporary car park site to the centre of St Clement’s Street.

But developers Watkin Jones believe a shuttle service could help resolve the issue.

Roger Smith, of Savills, the planning consultants, said: “The temporary car park is the big issue for local businesses. We have put forward a bigger car park for 65 spaces, an increase on 55 spaces first proposed.

“But business people say it is a long walk. In response we are exploring with the city council the idea of a bus service link.”

He said it was too early to say whether the service would be free or discuss the frequency.

Mr Smith added: “Most people at the exhibition acknowledged that the new scheme is a better proposal than the previous one.”

Clinton Pugh, who owns three restaurants in the area, said: “A shuttle would help the situation. But it would need to be a free service and constant, running right through to midnight. It would also be a good idea if they relaxed the double yellow lines here.

“The first scheme was appalling. This scheme is better. But it is ridiculous to remove car parking in the current climate.”

The new student flat development would leave 80 parking places at St Clement’s. The existing car park has 120 spaces.

The East Oxford Area Residents’ Forum is unhappy about the height of the two blocks, to be linked by a glass bridge, at the heart of the new scheme.

A statement from the group said the blocks would impact on the privacy of surrounding properties, adding: “There is ongoing concern about the lack of security.

“The proposed undercroft parking will make crime more attractive and add to the already high levels of crime in the St Clements area.

“We would like to see more details including a timetable of the suggested shuttle between the proposed car park and St Clement’s.”

Leatrice Beeson, 87, of nearby Anchor Court, said: “We believe we could be facing up to 18 months of noise and pollution.”