CORNMARKET Street in Oxford could be reopened to buses for the first time in more than 17 years, council chiefs have revealed.

The street was pedestrianised in May 1999 but this could be reversed if Queen Street undergoes the same change next year.

Ian Hudspeth, leader of Oxfordshire County Council, confirmed the move was being considered in response to concerns raised by bus companies.

Queen Street has already been closed to buses while the redevelopment of the Westgate Shopping Centre takes place. But operators say proposals to make the change permanent will mean a replacement through-route is needed.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • Queen Street, which has been temporarily closed to buses

And Mr Hudspeth yesterday said buses could be allowed to use Cornmarket Street again on a trial basis.

He added: “The Cornmarket gap is something we have got to look at as part of the whole package in Oxford, because the reopening of the Westgate is only a year away.

“We have been having discussions with the bus companies about it and would be looking at a shared model, like what is currently in place in Queen Street.

“At the moment, getting connections between north and south Oxford is also difficult so we need to ask if there is something we can do about that.

“It is not something that could be done overnight, but I do think we need to consider it.”

His comments were welcomed by bus companies, who previously told the Oxford Mail that a failure to provide more road space for buses could lead to worse services and higher fares for passengers.

thisisoxfordshire:

  • Cornmarket Street, today, which is fully pedestrianised

They said the arrangement used now on Queen Street – 12 buses in each direction per hour – should be applied to Cornmarket Street if the former is closed to traffic

Mr Hudspeth said the move could also bring another long-held ambition closer to reality – the pedestrianisation of Magdalen Street East and creation of a ‘piazza’ along the full length of St Giles. 

He added: “It has been our ambition for a long time. They are areas that would be ideal for pedestrianisation.”

But it sets the stage for a row with Oxford City Council, after leader Bob Price said there was ‘no way’ the authority would support buses returning to Cornmarket.

Sushila Dhall, chairwoman of Oxford Pedestrians Association, was also critical.

She said: “If you just take buses out of one street and put them in another, you have not actually achieved any improvement for pedestrians.

“It is important people have somewhere where they do not need to be looking over their shoulder.”