Low traffic neighbourhoods mean changes for the Cowley area
Residents in Oxford’s Temple Cowley, Church Cowley and Florence Park areas will soon see the implementation of a series of experimental measures to reduce traffic and make walking and cycling safer.
A low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) is an area where motor traffic is prevented from taking short cuts through a residential area by traffic blocks. This creates quieter streets where residents can feel safer and more comfortable when making local journeys by bus, bike or on foot.
Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We have listened to what transport and other changes local people want to be made and we are now taking action. Thanks to the feedback from residents, we can now implement scheme designs that are right for these communities.
“We are also considering these schemes — as well as wider, interrelated and permanent schemes, including the Zero Emission Zone and Connecting Oxford – as part of our response to address congestion, improve air quality and respond to our climate action agenda.”
Traffic will be restricted either by a bollard, a planter tub or a camera-enforced restriction. These will prevent all motor traffic (including cars, vans, lorries and motorcycles) driving through. The emergency services, cyclists, pedestrians and those using mobility scooters will all have free access through.
All properties can still be reached by vehicles, but those driving may need to adapt their routes to reach destinations. It is important that people who live on or drive along any of the following roads plan their route ahead to be ready for the changes.
The changes will be introduced on the following streets at the following dates:
1 March: Church Cowley
- Littlemore Road
- Beauchamp Lane
- Churchill Road
- Mayfair Road,
- Liddell Road
- Bartholomew Road*
8 March: Florence Park
- Cornwallis Road*
- Rymers Lane
- Littlehay Road
- Clive Road
15 March: Temple Cowley
- Crescent Road
- Junction Road
- Salegate Lane
- Temple Road
*Will allow access to buses, taxis and private hire vehicles.
The LTNs are being introduced under experimental traffic regulation orders. Under such orders, the experiment must run for six months to give enough time for residents to assess the impacts and the council to undertake monitoring. The consultation webpage will be open for the whole six months after implementation. After six months, the council can decide to extend the experiment for another 12 months before deciding whether to make the scheme permanent or remove it entirely.
Frequently asked questions on the experimental Cowley area LTNs can be found on the county council’s website.