Calls to resurface 'appalling' city centre street

Susanna Pressel represents Jericho & Osney on Oxfordshire County Council

A busy city centre road is in an "appalling state" and needs to be resurfaced without delay, a local councillor has said.

The section of Queen Street between the Westgate Centre and Bonn Square in Oxford currently has uneven paving and Tarmac.

While Oxfordshire County Council is responsible for highways maintenance, the Westgate Centre is responsible for the stretch of road.

The Westgate said it had been working with the council to "agree a suitable replacement surface" for the path.

Councillor Susanna Pressel, who represents Jericho & Osney, said "like many other people" she was "really fed up with the appalling state" of the road surface.

"It's truly dreadful, and it's in the heart of the city, so thousands of people have to pass over it every day - we should be ashamed."

She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that the pathway was "actually quite unsafe", particularly for cyclists.

The road currently has uneven paving and tarmac

Oxford cycling group Cyclox said they were "hugely supportive" of the attempts to improve the road surface.

"Potholes and other surfacing failures can be extremely dangerous for people cycling, not just uncomfortable," the group added.

A spokesperson from the Westgate Centre said the road was "originally planned as a pedestrianised walkway" with the surface fit for this purpose, however the "current vehicular usage" had led to deterioration of the surface.

A number of buses pass through the stretch of road.

The Westgate added that it was working with relevant parties to "enhance the overall experience for both our guests and the wider community".

The council said it had passed Ms Pressel's enquiry on to officers, and confirmed it had been in contact with the Westgate's developer about resolving the ongoing issue with the road surface.