"Don't cut our city in two" say Oxford Lib Dems

12.24.34am GMT Wed 5th Nov 2008

One of Oxford's Park and Ride buses

Lib Dem councillors in Oxford have welcomed the county council's plans to extend pedestrianisation in the city centre, but have objected strongly to the possibility that everybody travelling by bus into the city centre from east Oxford will be forced to change at least once. "This could cut the city in two," said group leader Cllr David Rundle, "and stop many people from the east of the city bothering to travel into the city centre."

The Lib Dems have also raised concerns about whether the needs of cyclists and the disabled are being given enough consideration in the plans. Added Cllr Rundle:"The details of the plans still need to be worked out, but it is clear that the needs of cyclists and the disabled are being put off till later, when they should be built in from the start."

The county council has announced a series of steps over the next five years, aimed at making central Oxford more pedestrian-friendly. Lib Dems have strongly supported the City Council's desire to get buses out of Queen Street, ideally as part of the Westgate Centre re-development. Lib Dem councillors representing central Oxford have called repeatedly for traffic lights at the junction of Cornmarket Street and George Street to be removed, in order to reduce dangers to pedestrians outside Debenhams. Continuing reduction of vehicles in Broad Street, one of the most beautiful and renowned streets in the world, has been progressing slowly but surely, supported by the Lib Dems.

A speedy resolution of these and other problems in the city centre would be very popular with both residents and visitors, Lib Dems believe.