TOURIST buses provide a way for people to see Oxford’s wonderful attractions - but do they spoil it for everyone else?

Open-top buses and tourist coaches have been criticised for blocking the views of people who are trying to enjoy attractions, causing congestion and increasing pollution.

And with Italian captial Rome recently banning tourist buses from going into the city, The Oxford Mail asked residents and shoppers navigating the streets of the city centre whether something similar should happen here.

James Hobson, 20, from Oxford, said: “I’ve never noticed them. I don’t think they are annoying at all.”

Oxford Brookes student, John Lopez, said: “I don’t think there are enough tourist buses in the city to even be an issue. They’re fine and haven’t caused me any problems.”

ALSO READ: Free tours of Oxford this Thursday

Similarly, Jonathan Dover, 37, from Oxford, said: “I see the tourist buses about, but they don’t impact me that much. The normal buses can be more of a headache.”

However, some people think the buses get in the way of day-today life. Devon Robertson, 21, is not happy with the open-bus top tours. She said: “I find them really annoying because they always stop at my bus stop, blocking the way for me to see the bus I need to catch, and bus drivers can’t see me.”

Oxford Mail:

Experience Oxfordshire, responsible for bringing tourism to the county, say a similar ban to one seen in Rome is not needed in Oxford.

Annie MacDonald, tours desk team leader, said: “Coach traffic is severely restricted by the council already which works really well to achieve non-congestion from tourist coach traffic, so we don’t need to ban them from the city.”

ALSO READ: Why not try a boozy walking tour instead?

A £1.7m plan last year saw some buses become fully electric including City Sightseeing Oxford buses, the city’s only open-top tour bus service exclusively for Oxford.

All coach parking is now outside the city at Redbridge Park and Ride and coaches can use drop off points at St Giles and outside the County Courts on St Aldates.