Experimental Pedestrian & Cycle Zone - Oxford: Market Street
An 'Experimental' Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) has been made - which comes into force on 22 April (subject to works being completed on site) - will introduce a pedestrian and cycle zone on Market Street, Oxford. 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 21st March 2024 (see item no.14/24 here for details).
Subject to works being completed on site it is anticipated that the scheme will be fully operational on Monday 29th April, with the ETRO including various amendments to loading and access to facilitate the new public realm space as follows:
Existing restrictions to be removed/relocated:
- Loading Bays – 24 hour loading bays outside the entrances to the covered market will be split into 3 sections on the south side of the road which will be realigned for parking parallel to the kerb.
- No loading 10am to 6pm - a) within the pedestrian zone the restriction will change to prohibit loading outside of marked bays provided at all times.
- No Waiting and No loading 10am to 6pm – b) a small section 10 metres west from the junction with Turl Street remains unchanged.
New restrictions/relocations:
- From a point 9 metres west of the junction with Turl Street a Prohibition of Motor Vehicles the `Pedestrian and Cycle Zone` will be introduced for Market Street which will be in operation at all times. In addition to statutory exemptions in the pedestrian zone, further exemptions will be permitted for: Taxis, Private Hire Vehicles, Blue Badge Holders requiring to drop-off/ collection only, street legal E-scooters, vehicles for loading in marked bays and where access is required to off-street premises.
- The entry point from Market Street into the existing pedestrian zone on Cornmarket will be moved 23 metres east to align with the end of the new zone.
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 25 October 2024.
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 2024. 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.
