ONE of Oxford’s busiest city centre roads was filled with a different kind of traffic this weekend.

George Street became the latest to ban cars to make more room for al fresco dining on Saturday, in a move by Oxford City Council to help increase capacity for struggling businesses.

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The road closure, in place between New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street, provides space for outdoor tables and chairs for up to 10 pubs, cafes and restaurants from 10am until 9pm each day.

Oxford Mail:

Businesses taking advantage on the first weekend included restaurant Ask Italian, pub Wig & Pen, and Black Sheep Coffee, all of which had tables filled with diners enjoying the sunshine from the new seating.

Spilling out on to the road, customers ate in roped off areas separated from a section of the street left for passing cyclists to use.

Oxford Mail:

The partial pedestrianisation was, like in other parts of the city centre, bracketed by wooden planters – created by Oxford-based social enterprise RAW – with signs saying the road was closed to vehicles.

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Tables and chairs have already been set out in areas of Cornmarket Street and the newly part-pedestrianised section of St Michael’s Street, with more locations to follow.

Oxford Mail:

An area of seating has also been set up outside Blackwell's bookshop and The White Horse pub in Broad Street.

The council has warned the change is only possible for George Street, which before coronavirus was a busy route for cars and buses, because there are fewer vehicles travelling through the city centre at the moment.

Oxford Mail:

A major draw before the pandemic along the stretch was Oxford's New Theatre, with audiences stopping for a meal or drink before a show.

The pedestrianisation along the street will be run as a trial until September 20.

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Oxford City Council has said it will only be possible to for a repeat of the scheme in George Street in future if the overall level of traffic is reduced in Oxford city centre.

Councillor Tom Hayes, deputy leader and Cabinet member for green transport and zero carbon Oxford, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to part pedestrianise George Street.

"Not only does this provide vital additional seating space for businesses during social distancing, it also provides a glimpse of what a city centre designed around pedestrians – rather than vehicles – could look like.”

Oxford Mail:

He added: “We want to pedestrianise more of Oxford city centre, particularly Broad Street, but this is only possible if we reduce the overall amount of traffic cutting through Oxford.

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“By reducing traffic, the bus companies can use Beaumont Street without getting stuck in congestion – moving vehicles out of the centre and enabling us to reclaim the space for pedestrians and cyclists.”

Sharing pictures of crowds flocking to the street on social media on Saturday, Mr Hayes said: "What a day for local businesses and people."