BUSES may no longer be an eyesore in Wantage Market Place if a proposal to move waiting zones out of the town centre is approved.

Wantage Town Council wants buses to wait in nearby Seesen Way to cut congestion and fumes and to reduce the impact on the town centre environment.

However, an Oxfordshire County Council transport officer has criticised the plans, saying the move would discourage bus users, encourage more car users and confuse people.

The proposal would mean buses could pick up and drop off passengers, but not wait in the Market Place for long periods of time.

At present, up to eight buses go through the town centre per hour, with some waiting in Market Place for up to ten minutes.

Town councillor Bryan Armitage said: “Buses would not be sat in the Market Place producing a lot of fumes and pollution from their engines running.

“It’s a beautiful Market Place and the view of the architecture can sometimes not be seen.

“We are in no way against public transport, but think this would be better.”

The bus proposals are part of the council’s plans to redevelop the Market Place, costing up to £1m.

Buses would only wait in Seesen Way during the day and return to the Market Place after 8pm.

Town councillors say this change could be implemented ahead of a redevelopment scheme for the Market Place if the county council approved its proposals.

But David Taylor, the county council’s public transport development officer, said: “It’s important that buses remain in the Market Place, the historic location where local people have always caught their buses. If you discourage people coming in by bus, then you will encourage more people to use their cars, which could cause more traffic congestion and queues at car parks. If buses go from different places, then it could be difficult for people who come into Wantage on one bus and want to change to another.

“The right balance between the environmental quality and access by bus is needed, which could be managed with a time limit of five minutes.”

Chris Child, Stagecoach marketing manager, said: “We have had an initial meeting when Wantage Town Council outlined their proposal for the Market Place. We will continue to work closely with them to ensure the best outcome for passengers.”

Sue Bainbridge, manager of Whites Coaches, said: “The town does get very busy at times. We don’t know enough about the proposals to comment at the moment.”

The plans for the Market Place revamp include introducing a two-way vehicle flow, dropping the speed limit from 30mph to 20, seven pedestrian crossings and six parking areas.