Bicester: Charlotte Avenue & 'Elmsbrook' Estate - proposed bus lane, loading bay & 20mph speed limit

We're asking for your views on the proposals to introduce a number of highway improvement measures in the ‘Elmsbrook’ residential development near Caversfield in northwest Bicester. Specifically, the following aspects are being proposed:

• A new 24 hour Bus Lane on Charlotte Avenue (between the junctions with Carraway Fields & Sage Street), with exemptions to include emergency services, Taxi & private hire vehicles, and pedal cycles;
  • The County Council is also seeking to use ‘ANPR’ camera enforcement which will allow for continuous & effective management of the restriction.
• a new ‘Goods Vehicles loading only’ bay on the northern side of Charlotte Avenue adjacent to the community centre & cafe, which will enable deliveries to service local businesses.
• Finally, the 20mph speed limit within the estate (including Braeburn Avenue & Charlotte Avenue, and all roads leading off) as currently signed will be formalised and incorporated into the existing Bicester speed limits order.

The proposals are being put forward as part of the ‘Section 38 agreement’ relating to the development, and will help ensure that facilities exist to enable the convenient use of public transport, walking and safe cycling in the area which will go towards meeting the requirements of Planning Policy.

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 Thursday 05 June 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 later in 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.