Dozens of cyclists met Oxfordshire County Council’s transport chief to have their say over plans to transform Oxford city centre.

The meeting was part of a consultation process over plans to pedestrianise much of central Oxford.

About 35 riders, including a large contingent from campaign group Cyclox, turned up at the Town Hall to get their view across.

Cyclox spokesman James Styring said: “There was nothing in the Transform Oxford proposals about cycling and we want to make sure that if they pedestrianise roads, they don’t end up banning bikes.”

He said Ian Hudspeth, cabinet member for transport, gave no assurances cyclists would not be banned under the planned changes.

But he added: “People had the opportunity to ask questions.

“The main talk was about shared space.

“One of the first things the county is going to do is make level the pavement and road surface in New Inn Hall Street.

“The idea is that cyclists would go more carefully and slowly, as they wouldn’t feel they owned the road, and pedestrians would be more able to use the main part of the street.

“It’s an experiment in having shared space.”

County Hall will also be consulting with a host of other groups, including pensioners and disabled people before any decision is made.