Oxford, Gosford & Yarnton: A44 Woodstock Road (Northern Corridor) - proposed speed limits & bus lane

UPDATE (08/04/22) - Following on from the consultation regarding the proposed new bus lane on A44 southbound carriageway between the junctions with the A44/Cassington Road roundabout in Yarnton, and the A34 Peartree roundabout – we have now received a revised plan (see consultation documents) which sees some amendments from the previous:

1. The proposed bus lane will now feature ‘breaks’ in its length to help manage the traffic flow:
   1. Sheehan access – no additional works to be undertaken in respect of the break in the bus gate. The break is purely to accommodate vehicle exit from Sheehan.
   2. Canal Bridge – a bus gate is being introduced north of the canal bridge to prioritise the movement of buses back into the general traffic lane with the continuation of a new bus lane just south of the Canal Bridge. The bridge cross section does not accommodate the provision of a new bus lane over it.
   3. Kings Rail Bridge – discussions regarding the need for a bus gate here are ongoing, these are taking into account the potential impact this would have on bus journey time as well as any required structural repairs.

2. the proposed length of 40mph speed limit on the A4260 Frieze Way has now been shortened slightly, to extend for 32 metres on both carriageways.

* Important note: any proposed amendments to speed limits on roads managed by Highways England – i.e. the A34 on/off slip roads that form part of this consultation – are also required to go through the necessary/appropriate Highways England appraisal & approval processes. Following which they either may or may not form part of the final scheme as proposed.

Please read the information provided on this consultation, your views and opinions matter. Please take the time to complete the survey, your response should be completed and returned by Friday 29 April 2022.

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 Highway Management at a meeting scheduled for later in 2022. 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.