Plans for significant pedestrianisation of Oxford city centre are certainly long overdue.

For too long, traffic — and buses in particular — have dominated the city's street scene.

Now it is time to claim them back for pedestrians.

Imagine a city in which you were free to roam along Queen Street without being bowled over by a bus, or stroll along Broad Street without having to dodge cars.

Congratulations must go to Oxfordshire County Council's transport planners for coming up with a scheme to improve the streets and roads — basically, it involves removing the traffic.

But is Oxfordshire County Council really a pro- or anti-motoring authority?

Some get the impression it is taking with one hand and giving with the other.

Transport and parking policy in Oxford continues to be an enigma inside a puzzle.

County Hall has made on-street parking in the city free during the evenings and on Sundays with the result that more cars from outside Oxford drive in.

And let us not forget this was the same authority that pushed through a very unpopular policy of charging city residents for permits to allow them to park outside their own homes.

It also wants to make Oxford the first 20mph city in the country but introducing a blanket speed limit on all streets and roads.

Confused? You ought to be.

Getting rid of traffic in Cornmarket Street was a step forward.

It would be great if the same happened in Queen Street, Broad Street, George Street, Magdalen Street and High Street, although bus companies will presumably have a lot to say about that.

It is too cynical of us to suggest this grand scheme has been announced with next year's county elections in mind?