Oxfordshire County Council has exciting plans to transform the centre of Oxford’s transport and pedestrian experience.
Oxford city centre: the challenge Greatly improve the pedestrian experience in Oxford city centre whilst maintaining excellent access for everyone, however they choose to travel
Our aspirations More “pedestrianisation” (meaning different things in different streets) Reduce impact of buses in city centre Low-emission, quiet, modern buses Smartcard bus ticketing Reduce bus flows in certain streets Improved cross city bus routeing Cleaner streets Excellent street design and materials, including better bus stops
Stage 1 2009 - 2010
Queen Street Stage 1: 2009
George Street & Magdalen Street 2010
Broad Street 2010
Stage 2 2011 - 2013
High Street, St Aldate’s & Queen Street
Frideswide Square Remove all traffic lights in the square Create stunning public space and gateway to Oxford Easier access for pedestrians More flexibility for bus routeing Example layout shown!
Consultation We have consulted on the vision for the city centre Five major schemes: Queen Street phase 1 (2009) George Street, Magdalen Street and St Giles (2010) Frideswide Square (2011) Broad Street (TBC) Queen Street phase 2, High Street and St Aldate’s (TBC - after 2011) We will consult on the details of these five schemes. Queen Street phase 1 consultation underway, ending 23rd March.
Queen Street today
Queen Street stage 1: 2009 Relocate all bus stops from Queen Street Reduce bus flows More pedestrian space Interim landscaping scheme: New surfaces De-clutter and better signs New street furniture
Queen Street today: with bus stops Queen Street stage 1: without bus stops
Queen Street today: with bus stops Relocation of bus stops Queen Street bus services will depart from one of: The northern end of St Aldate’s New Road, outside Co-Op bank west of Bonn Square Northern end of Castle Street Improvements to bus stop waiting areas (new shelters, seating etc)
Queen Street today: with bus stops Relocation of bus stops Principles used: Keep the stops as close to Queen Street as possible The busiest stops should be the ones nearest to Queen Street Services where queues are more likely to build up must have as much pavement space as possible Bus routes serving the same destinations (eg Stagecoach service 1 and Oxford Bus Company service 5) should depart from adjacent stops wherever possible
Cyclists, taxis and deliveries Currently: cycling is allowed in both directions between 6pm and 10am. delivery traffic allowed eastbound between 6pm and 10am taxis and licensed private hire vehicles allowed eastbound at any time of day - but only to pick up or drop off passengers in the street We do not propose to change access arrangements for cyclists or delivery traffic as part of this scheme. We are currently reviewing access for taxis.
Consultation Website: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transformoxford Write to Queen Street Proposals, FREEPOST OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL (no further address required) Email transformoxford@oxfordshire.gov.uk Fill in and return the feedback form on the leaflet
Next steps Report consultation results to Cabinet Member Decisions on 23rd April Start advance works during May Move bus stops and start work in Queen Street – end of June Complete work – end of September