A MAJOR Oxford junction that cost millions to redesign is in danger of being damaged and becoming a traffic nightmare, the leader of the city council has warned.

Bob Price said allowing buses to turn at Frideswide Square – overhauled to the tune of £6.7m only recently – would be a 'retrograde step'.

The move is being considered by Oxfordshire County Council, which says buses may have to be diverted there when Queen Street is pedestrianised.

It wants that to happen in time for the opening of the Westgate Shopping Centre in October but faces opposition from bus companies who say the solution is far from ideal.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail this week, Mr Price also claimed it would defeat the purpose of Frideswide Square's overhaul – which the city council contributed £670,000 to.

He said: "Using Frideswide Square in this way will be unwise in the extreme.

"It could cause physical damage to the square – you would have think seriously about the nature of the stonework.

"Significant work could be needed to correct damage, or change alignments to protect pedestrians.

"It's a very unwise proposal, a retrograde step, which would fly in the face of what we have been trying to achieve in the city centre – Frideswide Square has improved the traffic management."

Using the square as a turning circle would cause delays and impact traffic flows east, west and south, Mr Price added.

He said: "Delays would be introduced to the bus services at peak times and there would be an impact on traffic flows in the square itself and in Botley Road, Worcester Street and Beaumont Street."

The council chief called on the county council to re-establish talks with Nuffield College, which vetoed earlier plans for a separate turning circle outside its buildings in Worcester Street.

Oxford Bus Company managing director Phil Southall said earlier this year the company had carried out tests in Frideswide Square, where it is proposed buses turn at the roundabout outside the station, and believed it would be 'unsafe', with more than 30 manoeuvres an hour needed.

He said: "We are continuing to review options with the county council and constructive dialogue is taking place to try and find the best solution and to best make use of the space available.

"Only when that work is concluded can we decide whether we are going to object to the closure of Queen Street or not."

Karen Coventry, spokeswoman for Stagecoach Oxfordshire said: " We have ruled out turning buses in Frideswide Square as we do not believe it is safe to do so.

"Our discussions are still ongoing with Oxfordshire County Council."

Last year repair work was carried out to a stretch of pavement outside the Royal Oxford Hotel that was damaged after heavy vehicles drove over it.

But David Nimmo Smith, cabinet member for transport, said he did not believe an increase in buses using the square would lead to it becoming damaged.

He said: "Provided the buses stay on the road there should no problem – I would rather Queen Street stay open but I lost that battle.

"We are continuing to discuss the matter with Nuffield College but even if we did get an agreement we would not have time to get the work completed by the opening of Westgate.

"Frideswide Square was designed as a showcase entrance to Oxford station and the turning circle will detract from its redevelopment.

"Regrettably this is the way forward at the moment – hopefully it will not be a permanent solution."

Mr Nimmo Smith said 'good dialogue' on the issue was continuing with bus companies but if they formally object to the pedestrianisation it could prompt a government inquiry.