THE pedestrianisation of Queen Street is likely to go ahead on a trial basis, following objections from bus companies, traders and Oxford colleges.

And a scheme allowing cyclists to share space with shoppers has now been abandoned until the question of bus access has been ‘fully resolved’.

The county council has not yet said when the trial will start, or how long it will last.

Spokesman for Oxford cycling group Cyclox Simon Hunt said there was no reason the current ban on cyclists between 10am and 6pm should not be lifted.

He added: “We are very disappointed and will campaign for cyclists to be allowed to use Queen Street 24/7.”

The city and county councils have both supported permanent pedestrianisation as the number of shoppers is due to increase from five million a year to 16 million a year, once the new £440m Westgate Centre opens in October 2017.

Results from a pedestrianisation consultation have now been revealed and show it is backed by 60 per cent of those who took part, opposed by 23 per cent, with 17 per cent not saying if they were in favour or not.

Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach have objected, after saying earlier that pedestrianisation could create gridlock.

Oxford Preservation Trust, Brasenose College, Christ Church, traders’ group ROX – Backing Oxford Businesses, and Oxford High Street Association also objected due to concerns about the negative impacts on St Aldate’s and High Street.

Highways officers said more loading restrictions in St Aldate’s and High Street would be a way of reducing congestion in those streets.

A report recommending the trial will be considered on Thursday by David Nimmo Smith, cabinet member for environment.

Oxford City Council leader Bob Price said the trial should ‘ideally’ start in the run-up to to the Westgate Centre opening.

He added: “Our view remains that the future pattern of pedestrian movements in Queen Street will be so significantly increased that we have to go for permanent pedestrianisation.

“We are keen to move forward with this as quickly as possible but we recognise there are legal processes to get there, and if an experimental closure is best in the first place we are prepared to contribute financially and move forward on that basis.”

Mr Price said the city council would contribute £500,000 to a £2m scheme for pedestrianisation.

He added: “That will involve resurfacing the street and reconfiguring Bonn Square and Carfax as open spaces.

“There have been objections but Queen Street should be permanently pedestrianised.”

Nuffield College has objected to a turning circle for buses at Worcester Street car park.

The report for the 10am meeting at County Hall recommended asking transport officers to go ahead with plans for trialling pedestrianisation, while at the same time taking into account resulting pressures on St Aldate’s and High Street.

The scheme going forward should not rely on a turning circle for buses in Worcester Street, according to the report.

Construction work is well under way for the Westgate Centre which will include a new John Lewis department store, 100 new shops and 25 restaurants.

Buses will return to Queen Street on Saturday after they were removed earlier this year to allow work on the Westgate Centre to continue.

County council spokesman Martin Crabtree said: “The cabinet paper is clear that there is a need for changes prior to the opening of Westgate.

“The idea of a trial closure of Queen Street is put forward but would be conditional on a package of improvements to reduce congestion and bus journey times.”