Oxford: Market Street - pedestrian & pedal cycle zone informal consultation
This consultation has now concluded.
We are seeking your views on the proposal to introduce changes to parking and loading on Market Street in Oxford city centre as an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO). This will include the introduction of a pedestrian and cycle zone with the retention of loading bays for the Covered Market and other businesses in the vicinity. The changes are proposed because the city council is seeking to support the Covered Market by transforming Market Street into a pedestrian friendly zone. The aim is to improve footfall to the Market and trial changes ahead of the wider permanent regeneration and refurbishment works to the Covered Market.
The trial will create a more inclusive and welcoming public dwell space with improved surfacing, wider footways, cycle racks and the addition of outdoor seating and planting. It will also highlight the northern entrances to the Covered Market and provide valuable learning on traffic measures to be considered when planning for permanent changes in the future.
Subject to the outcome of this preliminary consultation the start date for the ETRO – if approved via Cabinet member decision (see details below) – is likely to be at the beginning of April .
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. An ETRO may continue for a maximum duration of 18 months.
The experiment will be closely monitored during its operation and could be abandoned or amended at any point should the Council deem this to be necessary. Any amendment would then be subject to further consultation. 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 view the draft plan provided to help give you an indication of what a potential scheme could look like, 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 16 February 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 deemed necessary prepare a report to be presented to the Cabinet Member for Highway Management at a meeting scheduled for 21st March 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.
