ECO-protesters occupying the LMS building by Oxford railway station have no plans to move out - despite claims they are the biggest obstacle to the city's transport strategy.

Government inspector Geoff Brown produced his report on the Oxford Transport Strategy this week and found that the councils' plan to widen the Park End Street junction - which would mean moving the Grade II* listed LMS building - was "the only workable one produced at the inquiry".

The direct action protesters, who have been squatting in the former London, Midland and Scottish building for more than a week, say the road widening is unnecessary, will not help walkers or cyclists, and will needlessly destroy trees.

They also deny that OTS will be held up until the LMS building is dismantled and rebuilt at Quainton railway centre in Buckinghamshire.

Edward Pope, one of the squatters, said: "There's this very strong spin coming out that we are against the OTS, which is complete nonsense. We decided to take a neutral stance and personally I'm a strong supporter.

"But if they've got the go-ahead for the OTS they don't need to do this to this junction at all. We are completely convinced that this doesn't stand in the way of the OTS and we'd like to see them go ahead with it as soon as possible."

Mr Pope said there were no plans to move out and the protesters have already started building tree houses in the trees on the building's forecourt.

Oxford city councillor Jean Fooks said: "We've got to find some way of moving them somewhere else - a more suitable environment for such people."

The building belongs to Oxford University, and it is up to the University to evict the protesters, but a spokesman said this week there were no plans to remove them forcibly at present.

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