BUS campaigners in Oxford are calling for better services to cater for customers at a new Waitrose supermarket in Headington.

Earlier this month, Waitrose, which already has shops in Abingdon, Wallingford and Witney, confirmed it was taking over the Somerfield supermarket, in Old High Street, in April.

The refitted store is expected to open under the Waitrose name in May.

Hugh Jaeger, 44, who represents the Oxford branch of Bus Users UK, welcomed the opening of Oxford’s first Waitrose, but said bus services should be upgraded as a result.

He said: “I think residents in Headington are delighted that Waitrose is opening a store, and I’m sure residents in places like North Oxford will be very jealous.

“Not everyone will be able to reach the store by car and I think shoppers will come from across Oxford, so bus services need to be reviewed.

“Residents recently warned the city council’s north east area committee that Headington car park is too small for the new Waitrose.

“Better local buses to Headington need to be part of the solution.”

Mr Jaeger wants Stagecoach to either extend its No 10 bus from the city centre to Summertown or extend the 14/14A/17A or 17C from the John Radcliffe Hospital to the centre of Headington.

Before the pedestrianisation of Cornmarket Street 10 years ago as part of the Oxford Transport Strategy, the Stagecoach No 7 route linked Kidlington, Summertown, the city centre, Headington and Barton.

But after pedestrianisation, the route was split in two and there is no longer a direct service connecting Summertown and Headington.

Mr Jaeger added: “Eventually, the Oxford Bus Company stopped running the No 2 service to Barton and Headington, and Stagecoach cut the No 7 into two unconnected halves.

“Waitrose will be a magnet for shoppers and it’s certain to bring people in from other parts of the city.

“This is a good opportunity for the bus companies to consider providing more reliable orbital routes.”

Chris Child, a spokesman for Stagecoach, said: “I think it’s unlikely that we would reconnect the No 7 at this time, but we’re open to suggestions regarding routes we operate.

“We are here to serve the needs of customers, and we need to see if there’s enough passenger traffic to warrant a review.”

North Oxford city councillor Jean Fooks said: “I’m sure some North Oxford residents will be going to Waitrose in Headington, so we hope the bus companies will look at the situation again.”

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