Loading restrictions aim to make The Plain safer

Restrictions on vehicles loading at The Plain in Oxford, where a cyclist was killed last March, have been approved.

A peak hour loading ban between 7 - 10am and 4.30 - 7pm will be brought in to improve safety at the roundabout, particularly for the most vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Cycling groups had expressed concerns about vehicles loading on or near The Plain and blocking cycle lanes, causing serious danger.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highway Management, said: “We know that any measures to improve safety and visibility at this busy roundabout will be welcomed by the thousands of people who use it every day.”

The plans seek to safeguard school transport services to encourage people not to use cars for the school run and to help provide safe, convenient alternatives.

The measures tie in to Oxfordshire County Council’s Vision Zero strategy, which aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the county’s roads to zero by 2050.

The changes are also expected to reduce delays to buses.

Approval was given on 27 April at a delegated decisions meeting by Cllr Gant.

Council officers will also consult with residents, businesses and landlords in the area to investigate alternative arrangements for loading.

Work was carried out at The Plain last November to improve safety for cyclists. The changes included amendments to road markings and traffic signs, installation of road studs, bollards and cycle stands, and installing light cycle lane segregation units.

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