RADICAL traffic plans for Oxford depend on permission being given to dismantle a unique Victorian listed building, an inquiry heard.

Existing Oxford Transport Strategy (OTS) plans involve widening the road in Park End Street to four lanes and demolishing the former LMS building, Oxford's first railway terminus, now used by car rental firm Budget.

But a public inquiry heard yesterday that permission has not yet been granted to remove the building.

County traffic engineer, Mike Rant, agreed with Green county councillor, Sushila Dhall, that removing the building was a vital part of the plans.

Alternative plans, which leave the Grade II* listed building intact, were unacceptable because they would lead to traffic delays and congestion, the inquiry heard.

Oxford University historian, Dr Charles Webster, a Fellow of All Souls, described the LMS building, which dates from 1851 as a 'national treasure'.

"It is the most important monument to industrial architecture in the central area of the city," he said.

The inquiry heard council officials aim to dismantle the building, which is of the same architectural status as Magdalen Bridge and the Martyrs' Memorial, and re-erect it elsewhere. Part of it is already in the Science Museum in London.

But John Steane, of the Oxfordshire Architectural and Historic Society, said the building would not survive being dismantled. He said: "The OTS is said to be reversible, the demolition and removal of the LMS building is irreversible."

Mr Steane said Oxford's bid to become a World Heritage Site would not be helped by destroying a valuable historic building.

John Kemp, speaking for North Hinksey Parish Council, said the plans for the railway station area would cause a huge traffic bottleneck. He proposed allowing buses to use the existing level crossing to stop them being held up.

Terry Long, of the Oxford Playhouse, said plans to cut the number of street parking places after 6.30pm would hit theatre audiences.

He said vulnerable people were scared to park in the Westgate car park and walk to the theatres, and added that the Park and Ride was also considered dangerous. He suggested the Park and Ride buses should run more frequently at night and security in the car parks should be improved.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.