Measures to improve road safety and bus journey times on Oxford’s Woodstock Road have been approved today by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for infrastructure and development strategy.
The improvements are focused on the area between St. Giles and the Wolvercote Roundabout (A40) and are designed to work with other measures to enhance journeys made by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport.
Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said:
“Oxford looks forward to a greater demand for sustainable travel solutions to meet expected increases in population and jobs. These plans are one part towards answering that need on one of our city’s busiest roads.
“We have committed to making sure our highways are safer and work better for all our road users. We are implementing cycle way improvements and crossings that really prioritise the safety of people walking and wheeling.”
The improvements (indicated on map above) include:
- Replacing a section of the southbound bus lane between Wolvercote and Squitchey Lane with a northbound lane on the other side. This will be implemented as a trial under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), and follows advice from local bus operators
- Pedestrian crossings on the junctions of roads between and including Bevington Road and St. Margaret’s Road
- Off-road cycle path on Woodstock Road between Frenchay Road and St. Margaret’s Road, and
- Zebra crossing on Woodstock Road near Bevington Road (main image)
Works are expected to take place between August 2024 and March 2025, and will be sensitively phased to keep disruption to a minimum.
The project is funded through the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal.
Key Proposals:
- Experimental Bus Lane (Phase 1):
- Removal of the southbound bus lane between Wolvercote and Squitchey Lane.
- Introduction of a northbound bus lane as a trial, under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), allowing for adjustments based on feedback and traffic flow data.
- Active Travel Measures (Phase 2):
- New and improved side road crossings to enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility.
- Extension of the off-road cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road.
- Installation of solar studs along cycle lanes to improve visibility at night.
- A new zebra crossing between Observatory Street and Bevington Road.
- Improvements to footways and segregated cycle lanes.
- Introduction of a new full-time bus stop clearway near St Giles.
Objectives:
- Increase walking and cycling trips.
- Improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Enhance public transport journey times.
- Support sustainable travel choices for new residents and employees.
- Integrate with other transport projects like the North Oxford Corridors Improvement and A40 Improvement Project.
Timeline and Funding:
- The total budget for the project is £3.2 million, secured through government funding.
- Public consultation concluded in June 2024
- The implementation of Phase 1 to begin by autumn 2024, and Phase 2 improvements could be completed by March 2025.
These improvements are part of Oxfordshire County Council’s commitment to creating a low-traffic environment and addressing the challenges of population and employment growth in the region
