RESIDENTS face a choice between quicker bus journeys across Oxford or an extra pedestrianised street, says a bus company boss.

Phil Southall, who took charge of Oxford Bus Company this week, said the reopening of Cornmarket to buses and creating a bus turn-around area in Worcester Street car park were needed as part of the Westgate redevelopment.

The new managing director said introducing a limited number of buses on Cornmarket would provide the chance to cut journey times into the city centre by 10 minutes for thousands of passengers.

Closing Queen Street to buses is the approach supported by the Westgate developers and John Lewis, which will have the anchor store in the new-look centre.

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Mr Southall said: “If the Westgate development changes the focus of the city centre to the west, then buses must have good access to the West End. We do not want to see people waiting on the pavement for buses coming into conflict with people going into the new centre.

“What we are asking for is the best possible facilities for 11 stops.

“You cannot view the Westgate in isolation. If buses cannot run in Queen Street then we would need a turning point. Buses could turn at Worcester Street car park.”

In recent months, Mr Southall has been closely involved in discussions with the Westgate developers, Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council, as the Oxford Bus Company’s operations director. Now promoted to managing director, he warned of major public transport problems ahead if Queen Street’s pedestrianisation was completed without investing in infrastructure to create alternative bus routes.

He said developers would be mistaken to treat Oxford like other English city centres, based on general surveys showing the commercial benefits of pedestrianisation.

Peter Thompson, chairman of Oxford Civic Society, said: “I would endorse many of the things that Mr Southall says. Buses on Queen Street are far from ideal but it would be a mistake to go for full pedestrianisation without some careful studies.

“He is right that putting buses on Cornmarket would reduce journey times but you have to look at the adverse effects in terms of pedestrian experience and the physical state of the road. It is not the right answer.”

It is hoped the new £400m Westgate Centre will open in 2017.

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