Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements

Consultation has concluded

This survey has now closed.

Welcome to our engagement page for the Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements scheme.

The Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements scheme is a transport and connectivity project that aims to improve bus journey reliability and make Woodstock Road (A4144) safer for pedestrian, cycling and mobility-aided access. The proposals extend between St Giles in Oxford city centre and the Wolvercote Roundabout (A40). The proposals are designed to work with other measures to improve and encourage journeys made by walking or wheeling, cycling and public transport. 

Woodstock Road is used by many people travelling by bus, bike and on foot or with mobility aids, both from within Oxford and travelling to/from other areas.  By investing now and providing space and facilities for making journeys other than travelling by car, we can better manage traffic as we deliver planned growth and housing. 

There are two phases to the project. We would like to hear your feedback on both:

Phase 1 – Experimental bus lane

It is proposed to remove part of the 24-hour southbound bus lane between Wolvercote (A40) and Squitchey Lane and replace it with a like-for-like northbound bus lane on the other side. This follows consultation with key stakeholders including bus operators, and modelling for potential displacement effects once the traffic filters trial is implemented. The proposals would be implemented as a trial through an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO).  This would allow potential amendments to be made during the trial period. The experimental bus lane works would necessitate removing the existing southbound (city bound) bus stop between the A40 Wolvercote roundabout and Blandford Avenue.  There is a nearby southbound bus stop approximately 200 metres from this stop, just south of Blandford Avenue. No changes are proposed for general traffic and two-way access will be maintained.  

Work is planned to be completed in summer/autumn 2024 before works for the traffic filters begin.

Statutory notices relating to the proposed active travel measures can be found in the Statutory notices section on this page

Phase 2 – Active travel measures

Phase two is focused on the southern end of the Woodstock Road and covers a series of active travel (cycling, walking and wheeling) priority measures for the Woodstock Road including: 

New and improved side road crossings which would increase pavement space, increase entry ramps and reduce crossing distances for people walking.  Our consultation plans set out further information, please see the section ‘how to get involved’.  Improvements are proposed at the following side roads: Bevington Road, St Margaret's Road (East), St Margaret's Road (West) , South Parade, Little Clarendon Street, Observatory Street, St Bernard's Road, Plantation Road, Leckford Road, Canterbury Road, Farndon Road

An extension of the shared use, off-road cycle path on the western side of Woodstock Road between the junctions of Frenchay Road and St Margaret's Road to maintain cycling amenity whilst we assess the outcome of the traffic filter trial

Installing solar studs along cycle lanes throughout Woodstock Road to improve visibility. Solar studs are solar-powered ‘cats-eye’ lights that sit flush with the path surface, so they do not impact the smoothness of the lane, and only light once it is dark. Further details about solar studs can be found in the FAQs section of this page

A new zebra crossing on Woodstock Road between Observatory Street and Bevington Road

Localised sections of improvements to the condition of footway/off-road segregated cycle lanes

Various road marking amendments, including some measures proposed in the county council’s 2021 ‘Quickways’ consultation for Woodstock Road    
Introduce a new full time bus stop clearway on the east side of the Woodstock Road just north of the junction with St Giles

Locally relocate a marked parking bay (limited stay parking) outside Belsyre Court on the Woodstock Road in order to accommodate an informal pedestrian crossing.

Drawings and maps which show further details of our proposals are available to view and download in the Maps and Drawings section on this page.

The Frequently asked questions (FAQs) section provides answers to common queries about the scheme.

How can I get involved?

We are holding a formal public consultation and we would like to invite local residents and businesses to share their views on our proposals for Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements scheme.

You can share your views by completing the survey below.

You can also view plans and complete a paper copy of the survey at one of the following locations:

County Hall, New Road, Oxford OX1 1AY
Westgate Library, Queen Street, Oxford OX1 1PE
Summertown Library, South Parade, Summertown OX2 7JN

The survey will be open from 12pm on Wednesday 8 May 2024 until 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 June 2024.

Alternatively you can send your response directly by email to woodstockroad@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by writing a letter to this address as one line in the middle of the envelope: 

Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (No further address details are required and you do not need a stamp.)

Please also write ‘Woodstock Road Sustainable Travel Improvements’ on the top left corner of the envelope, so we can easily identify what is inside.

What happens next?

Once the consultation period has finished on 5 June 2024, we will review all the responses received and consider any necessary design changes which will be presented to a county council Cabinet Member Decision meeting in summer 2024. 

Subject to the outcome of the Cabinet Member Decision, Phase 1 – Experimental bus lane, could be implemented by autumn 2024.  Measures as part of Phase 2 – Active travel measures, could be provided between summer 2024 and March 2025. 