Experimental No Right Turn restrictions - Eynsham: Barnard Gate A40
An 'Experimental' Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) has been made - which comes into force on 01 June 2026 - that prohibits vehicles from turning right (westwards) onto the A40 when exiting the two Barnard Gate junctions on the northside of the Oxford-Witney road at Eynsham.
Exemptions will be included for vehicles used for agricultural purposes, to ensure their day-to-day operations are not adversely impacted (i.e. by allowing them to continue to cross over the A40), as well as for ambulance & fire service vehicles in an emergency, and Police vehicles generally.
This follows a local pre-engagement exercise (carried out in July/August2025), after which the Cabinet Member for Transport Management approved the Officer recommendations to proceed with an Experimental TRO at the public decisions meeting held on 09th October 2025 (see item no.82/25 here).
Why is the experiment being implemented?
The experiment is being introduced as part of the Council’s “2025-26 Vision Zero Junction incidents hot spots (cluster sites) programme”. Concerns about the safe operation of the A40 junctions with the western access to Barnard Gate and the road to South Leigh are longstanding. The steady and relatively fast flows along the A40 result in few gaps to pull out into safely, while the lack of a right turn filter lane can make vehicle drivers feel vulnerable when waiting to turn towards South Leigh.
The Access to Witney (Shores Green) project is due to be completed in Summer 2026. For drivers from Freeland or the A4095, this provides a suitable alternative route to join the westbound A40 and reduce the demand at Barnard Gate.
What is an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order?
Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders (ETRO) are used when it is difficult to assess the impacts of the scheme beforehand, but the cost of implementation is relatively low. In an ETRO, the Council introduces the scheme as an experiment first and there is then a six-month period after the scheme is introduced when the public can see for themselves the impact of the scheme and the Council can monitor its impacts. At the end of the six-month period, the Council assesses the impacts, including any letters of support or objections, and decides whether to confirm, cancel or extend the ETRO for up to 12 months longer (18 months in total) to allow further consultation and monitoring.
The experiment will be closely monitored during its operation, including the effects on all road users, specifically regarding potential issues of non-compliance – and should the ETRO be recommended to become permanent in the future, the need for any further supporting measures to ensure compliance will also be considered.
Have your say.
Please read the detailed information provided on this consultation and take the time to complete the survey as your views and opinions matter. Your response should be completed and returned by 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026 (i.e. end of the initial six month consultation period).
Whilst we will endeavour to answer simple queries during the course of the consultation, any more complex questions/issues will be appraised and dealt with as part of consultation process.
What happens next?
The County Council will review the responses and if necessary (i.e. if objections are received) prepare a report to be presented to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management - This will be public meeting at which members of the public may apply to speak. The agenda and reports for meetings will be made available on the Oxfordshire County Council web site about a week before the meeting (please note that occasionally it is necessary to defer reports to a later meeting, and it is therefore advisable to check the agenda ahead of attending a meeting). The Forward Plan of decisions meetings can be viewed here.
