A PEDESTRIAN crossing will be installed in the new year to link the Westgate Centre and Oxford Castle Quarter.

The raised crossing just south of the Swan and Castle pub was, according to Oxfordshire County Council officers, 'always part of the plan' for the £440m Westgate Centre.

It has now been confirmed work will begin on the crossing in January.

Last year Landsec - the developers behind the Westgate project - secured the multi-million-pound purchase of Oxford Castle Quarter.

Shortly after the acquisition, Oxford Preservation Trust, which has a long lease on part of the site and looks after St George's Tower, the Mound and Oxford Castle Unlocked visitor centre, called on Landsec to outline its plans for the castle quarter.

A number of other projects to better connect the Westgate and Oxford Station are also expected to get under way in the new year.

The schemes include zebra crossings at several key junctions such as at Speedwell Street and St Aldate's and at Park End Street and Worcester Street and New Road.

Discussions over a possible solution to problems at the George Street, Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street junction are ongoing.

Concerns that the junction is unsafe for cyclists and causes delays to buses and general traffic have been raised by councillors and transport groups in recent months.

All interested groups are expected to be consulted on options once they are put forward.