A CONTROVERSIAL plan to stop buses in Oxford using Queen Street will be considered by top councillors today.

Officials at Oxfordshire County Council proposed the change due to fears the thoroughfare would become too crowded with pedestrians when the Westgate Shopping Centre reopens.

But they were overruled by cabinet member for transport David Nimmo Smith, who said it should remain open for at least six months after then.

At a meeting last month, he said the future number of visitors to Westgate was ‘impossible to accurately predict’ before it opens its doors again next October.

He said Queen Street could be kept open on a ‘trial basis’.

But Mr Nimmo Smith referred his decision to the rest of the cabinet, who are due decide today whether it should be upheld.

Council officers are still seeking to close the street, with a report urging senior councillors to back their original proposals.

This would involve drawing up more detailed plans for closing Queen Street on a six-month trial basis when Westgate reopens.

It says: “Whilst we respect the recommendation of the cabinet member, we would still ask cabinet to consider the original recommendation”.

Any permanent closure would require the approval of the Government, it adds.

It comes after bus companies warned the closure would cause traffic mayhem, hitting services with delays.

Heritage groups claimed it would also flood St Aldate’s and High Street with buses and make them ‘dangerous and unpleasant’.

The cabinet will meet at 2pm in County Hall, Oxford.