The public are being asked for their views on plans to introduce two new bus-only lanes in Oxford city centre.
The plans have attracted criticism from the Oxford High Street Association and ROX (Backing Oxford Business) who say they would damage trade.
The first of the two ‘temporary’ new ‘bus gates’ is planned for either Hythe Bridge Street or Worcester Street, between Frideswide Square and Beaumont Street.
The second is proposed on St Cross Road or South Parks Road, between Parks Road and Manor Road.
County council cabinet member for environment Yvonne Constance said the move would help the recovery of the transport network, adding: “Bus gates give us a chance to build back a more sustainable city as we recover.
“They will help the recovery of the bus operators, reduce congestion where they are located and help offer safer roads for cyclists.”
The city and county councils have launched the online public survey to help inform the proposals.
The bus gate plans are part of post-lockdown changes to encourage people to take up walking, cycling or riding the bus instead of driving.
The survey will inform decisions about the scheme including the location of the bus gates, timings, and how road space can best be reallocated ahead of the proposed installation at the end of September.
A spokesman for the county council said: “The new temporary bus gates would be implemented using experimental traffic regulation orders following guidance recently issued to local authorities by the Department for Transport to assist in the delivery of emergency active travel measures and other pandemic recovery schemes.”
Article originally appeared on Oxford Mail
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