Experimental bus lane & parking restrictions - Oxford: A4144 Woodstock Road

An 'Experimental' Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) has been made - which comes into force on 28 September (subject to works being completed on site) - that introduces a new bus lane on the A4144 Woodstock Road for northbound buses towards Wolvercote Roundabout, with cycles, legal e-scooters, taxis and licenced private hire vehicles also permitted to use the bus lane. The ETRO also removes a section of the previous southbound bus lane from the Wolvercote Roundabout down to the junction with Field House Drive.

Additionally, at the northwest arm of St Giles, `No Waiting at Any Time` restrictions replaces the previous `No Waiting 8am-6.30pm` at a point opposite 12 metres southeast of the junction with Little Clarendon Street, southwards for a distance of 13 metres. This is to enable entry to a new Bus Stop.

This follows a local pre-engagement exercise (details here), after which the Cabinet Member for Highway Management approved the Officer recommendations to proceed with an Experimental TRO at the public decisions meeting held on 18th July 2024 (see item no.78/24 here for details).

Note – Further information on the wider ‘Woodstock Road corridor improvements’ project can be viewed here.

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 and any comments/complaints that are received will be given due consideration with a view to deciding whether the experiment, or any part of it should become permanent.

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 28 March 2025.

Whilst we will endeavor 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 Highway Management at a meeting scheduled for 2025. 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.