Cyclists, bus passengers and families will have their first opportunity to quiz Oxfordshire’s transport chief when he publicly makes the case for the multi-million-pound pedestrianisation of Oxford city centre.

Ian Hudspeth will present the county council’s plans to rid Queen Street, George Street and Magdalen Street of traffic when he addresses the city council’s south east area committee in Littlemore on Monday night.

Mr Hudspeth’s talk — and the subsequent question and answer session — will be his first public presentation about the Transform Oxford project, which is part of a wide-ranging plan to rejuvenate Oxford’s West End with new homes, offices and a 150 bed hotel.

On Wednesday, the city council’s executive board will discuss options for raising the estimated £100 million cost — including £18.7 million of infrastructure improvements — for the West End redevelopment.

Mr Hudspeth, county cabinet member for transport, could not confirm the costs of the Transform Oxford part of the project.

He said he expected people to be positive about the scheme — which will see at least three roads pedestrianised and the number of buses in High Street and St Aldate’s reduced within four years.

Mr Hudspeth said: “We need to make Oxford city centre a more pleasant environment for people.

“Economically, it will give us a great boost because people will be able to wander around freely. It will make it a more pleasant place to shop and visit, and that should mean people stay longer. If they stay longer they should spend more money.”

“It will also enable people to appreciate the fine architecture of Oxford itself.”

The county council’s plan will be split into two stages.

Bus stops will be removed from Queen Street in the summer, while George Street and Magdalen Street will be fully pedestrianised by the end of 2010.

Road alterations will allow buses to use a layby at the junction of St Giles and Beaumont Street, while Broad Street may be pedestrianised depending on consultation with businesses and the Broad Street Plan Group, Mr Hudspeth said.

From 2011, the number of buses in High Street and St Aldate’s will be reduced by introducing “Oyster-style” pre-pay tickets which will enable passengers to use the same smartcard to pay for different bus operators’ services.

Queen Street will become fully pedestrianised, while traffic lights will be replaced with roundabouts in Frideswide Square.

Monday’s meeting is part of an “information period” lasting throughout January, before the locations of new bus stops in St Aldate’s, Castle Street and New Road are revealed in March or April.

Discussions with taxi drivers, bus companies, police and fire services will also continue in this period.

Mr Hudspeth admitted people might have concerns about bus journeys and disabled parking in the city centre, but said he would aim to allay any fears on Monday.

He said he had no other plans to talk to other area committees or community groups, but would be happy to meet interested groups subject to time commitments.

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk