Oxford's controversial transport strategy was today praised for a dramatic cut in city centre traffic and falling pollution levels, writes Andrew Ffrench.

But the council research also highlights a downturn in sales with retailers in Cornmarket Street being particularly hard hit.

The latest study supports the findings of pressure group Rox (Rescue Oxford) which claimed earlier this year that the strategy had cost retailers 12m in lost business.

A report being presented to the county council's Oxford Transport Strategy working party tomorrow claims, after early teething troubles, it is now achieving positive results. The benefits include:

**Traffic flows in central Oxford down 20 per cent

**The use of buses up by nine per cent, while use of park-and-ride up by seven per cent this year

**Pollution levels at 50 sites reduced.

But there is one major drawback, according to the findings. Nine retailers in the Cornmarket Street area were quizzed about their takings between June last year and March, and average sales were down compared with previous years.

David Young, the county council's director of environmental services, said: "While the retailing results are disappointing, they are clearly affected by national trends and the strong value of the pound.

"Experience of pedestrianisation elsewhere points to an increase in retailing activity after things settle down.

"I remain confident that the investment in new stores such as Debenhams and Boots, allied to the reduction in traffic and the physical changes we will be carrying out in city streets, will create conditions in which retailing will thrive."

Council bosses say that the experience of other cities which have implemented pedestrianisation schemes has shown that sales pick up 18 months after the introduction of a new traffic strategy.

Rox spokesman Graham Jones said: "At least the council is admitting that trade has been hit by the OTS but there is no room for complacency.

"Cornmarket has not yet been properly pedestrianised and parking prices in the city are still far too high.

"We need to make access a lot easier for both businesses and shoppers or they will go elsewhere."

Mr Jones added that a recent survey of shoppers carried out at Reading's Oracle centre showed that almost 40 per cent were from the Oxford catchment area.

"During the past few months, we have regularly spoken to more than 50 shops and businesses in the city centre, including restaurants and cafes," he added.

"They are all telling us the same thing - takings are down."

The OTS caused huge controversy when it was introduced in the summer of 1999. The BBC'sTop Gear programme claimed the 20m scheme was not working but has now been told to re-shoot its programme after twice being accused of making a one-sided film.

**Oxford Transport Strategy: Stories from our archives