THE leader of a patient watchdog has expressed concern over plans to allow cyclists to use Queen Street in Oxford, claiming they can be "arrogant" and this could lead to accidents involving pedestrians.

Oxfordshire County Council is currently consulting on proposals to fully pedestrianise the street by October 2017, in time for the completion of the £440m revamp of the Westgate Shopping Centre.

The pedestrianisation will permanently remove buses and allow cyclists to use the street in both directions.

Simon Hunt, chairman of cycling lobby group Cyclox, said earlier the proposal could on a "shared space" basis and Sushila Dhall, chairwoman of Oxford Pedestrians Association, said it would work if there was courtesy on both sides from pedestrians and cyclists.

But Jacquie Pearce-Gervis, of Patient Voice, said people could get hurt as a result.

She told the council in her response to the consultation: "We are very concerned that you are planning to permit cyclists to use Queen Street in both directions.

"Cyclists are notoriously 'arrogant' and 'blind' and we foresee accidents occurring, particularly for the elderly and those who are not too steady on their legs.

"There are accidents waiting to happen if you decide to do this"

She urged the council to consider cycle lanes or a walkway for pedestrians and added: "There will be people tottering along who are going to get knocked over.

"I was hit by a cyclist myself in St Giles many years ago and I was hurt quite badly.

"I think there should be segregated areas for pedestrians and for cyclists."

Mr Hunt was not available for further comment.

Hugh Jaeger, of the Oxford branch of Bus Users UK, has called for buses to be allowed to continue using Queen Street.

A proposal to create a turning circle for buses on the corner of Worcester Street and New Road is on hold after land owners Nuffield College objected.

The pedestrianisation consultation finishes on October 14.