CITY councillors have voted overwhelmingly against proposed plans to add a new platform to Oxford train station.

And, although the final decision will be made by the county council, the design was branded unacceptable.

At a meeting of the Central South and West Area Commitee on Tuesday, councillors raised issues about the design.

Susanna Pressel, city councillor for Jericho and Osney, said it was “not worthy” of the city of Oxford.

She said: “We very much welcome anything that improves Rail service to Oxford, but this design is not acceptable.”

There were also concerns from local residents about the amount of pollution and noise an extension would bring to Botley Road.

The £12.5m plans include a new bay platform on the current Becket Street car park site, including toilets, shops and waiting rooms.

A glass-fronted transfer deck would then replace the current pedestrian bridge over Botley Road, allowing for twice as much footfall over the road.

But councillors raised concerns about the impact this would have on cyclists under the bridge. Council leader Bob Price said he was worried the designs would age quickly and were not in keeping with the station.

He said: “I think the design of the platform and bridge might not be unpleasant if properly done, but it will no doubt end up being cheap and nasty.

“It will be a tacky piece of obnoxious glass that will look ugly very quickly.”

Mr Price also raised concerns about the choice of building material PVC, which he said was “not achieving anything in terms of design”, adding “this is an entirely unsatisfactory scheme that is not in keeping with the appearance of the neighbourhood.”

The number of people travelling by train in Oxfordshire rose by 16.5 per cent between 2008 and 2009.

It is hoped the improvements will meet the increasing demand.

Colin Fields, senior town planner for Network Rail, said their considerations would be taken into account.

But he added: “We are seriously committed to this project and we hope it will be the trigger point for future investment into the Oxford rail link.

“We hope that in the future, high-speed inter-city rail trains will be able to come to Oxford, with its longer platform, and eventually the whole line can be made electric.”

The final decision will be made by the county council and work could start as early as next year.