Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2025/207

Contact: Rob Freshwater, Infrastructure Development Lead (Robert.Freshwater@oxfordshire.gov.uk)

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CMDTM5).

The Cabinet Member is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    Approve the making permanent of the following measures as part of the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO);

                                 i.         bus lane for northbound buses, from a point 61 metres north of Blenheim Drive for 707 metres towards the Wolvercote Roundabout,

                                ii.         remove section of the previous southbound bus lane from the Wolvercote Roundabout down to the junction with Field House Drive,

                               iii.         `No Waiting at Any Time` (double yellow lines) to replace the previous `No Waiting 8am-6.30pm` (single yellow lines) on the northwest arm of St Giles at a point opposite 12 metres southeast of the junction with Little Clarendon Street.

The Leader of the Council, now in the Chair, introduced the item to the meeting, invited speakers to make their contributions and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair invited officers to introduce the proposals. Officers noted there were two separate proposals relating to the Woodstock Road bus lane and St Giles’ waiting restrictions.

The Chair reflected on issues raised, such as objections from Woodstock Road residents and the safety for school children going to school.

The Chair noted the impact of the Botley Rd closure on this scheme as it had delayed the introduction of the traffic filters scheme. The Chair asked for monitoring to be undertaken after the Botley Rd opened, which was expected to be in August 2026.

The Chair noted that not approving the scheme would undermine other transport schemes in other areas in Oxford.

The Chair asked officers to monitor traffic on the Woodstock Road after the Botley Road reopened; monitor traffic out of First Turn that could perhaps lead to new signage; and also monitoring air quality and cycle routes after the reopening of the Botley Road.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the making permanent of the following measures as part of the current Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO);

i.             bus lane for northbound buses, from a point 61 metres north of Blenheim Drive for 707 metres towards the Wolvercote Roundabout,

ii.            remove section of the previous southbound bus lane from the Wolvercote Roundabout down to the junction with Field House Drive,

iii.          `No Waiting at Any Time` (double yellow lines) to replace the previous `No Waiting 8am-6.30pm` (single yellow lines) on the northwest arm of St Giles at a point opposite 12 metres southeast of the junction with Little Clarendon Street.

Cllr Liz Leffman left the meeting at this stage and Cllr Andrew Gant assumed the Chair for the rest of the meeting.