Debate over scrapping Oxford's new bus gates next week

The new camera-guarded routes were due to be rolled out at the end of summer between Worcester Street and Hythe Bridge Street, and between South Parks Road and St Cross Road.

Then the deadline was delayed until later this month.

ALSO READ: Hunt for owner of silver BMW stuck in floods

But the congestion-busting measures are likely to be stopped altogether in their current form because a survey carried out by Oxfordshire County Council found too many people were either unsure about them or opposed to them.

When the county council's cabinet, its most senior councillors, meet next Tuesday (October 13), they will be asked to stop the rollout of the gates.

The council's leader, Ian Hudspeth, said the authority had listened to what people and businesses in the city had said during the survey, known as a consultation.

But the two gates are likely to re-emerge in the future as part of a long term plan to reduce traffic jams called Connecting Oxford.

A map of the connecting Oxford proposals. Picture: Oxfordshire County Council

This scheme includes several other bus gates, plus a 'workplace parking levy': a charge on employers in the east of Oxford for the car parking spaces at their offices, which is designed to indirectly encourage their employees to use buses.

A report to the cabinet said if the two new bus gates were put in place temporarily then this could jeopardise Connecting Oxford, as public opinion might swing against the other measures too.

The response Oxfordshire County Council received to its consultation on the bus gates was one of the largest it has ever had, with more than 7,200 people taking part, 72 per cent of whom were Oxford residents.

Of those who took part, 46 per cent thought the bus gates were a bad idea, while 35 per cent thought they were definitely a good idea.

ALSO READ: In court - alcoholic mother stole wallet to buy vodka

A further 15 per cent also thought they were a good idea, but wanted more information.

Because of this response, the council's staff are recommending the plans should not go ahead.

But its leader is still committed to rolling out the bus gates as part of Connecting Oxford by 2023, and thinks they will be thought of more positively when they work alongside other measures in the scheme.

Council leader Mr Hudspeth said: "It is a complete package to encourage a modal shift, not just two bus gates in isolation."

The two temporary gates were due to compliment other road schemes in Oxford, including new cycle markings and Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, all paid for through the Government's emergency active travel fund.

Oxford's High Street bus gate

This fund is aimed at keeping traffic levels down following lockdown, with new measures to encourage a 'modal shift' to walking, cycling and public transport use and away from cars.

The bus gates were due to be paid for by a variety of sources, including £30,000 from Oxford City Council.

Though the bus gates are now likely to be shelved, background work so far has not been cheap, with an estimated £43,500 spent on them.

Other plans for new bus gates in the city could still go ahead.

Two bus gates on Cowley Road and Warneford Lane, which are aimed at helping to creating Low Traffic Neighbourhoods in East Oxford, are part of the council's second bid for emergency active travel cash.

The council is still waiting to hear the result of this bid.

READ AGAIN about all the current and planned bus gates in Oxford here, or explore our map below

Oxford's city council has disagreed with the decision to scrap the bus gates.

It's deputy leader Tom Hayes said there was a majority in favour of the gates, including those who wanted more information.

Mr Hayes said: "That may not be decisive, nonetheless the County Council intends to reject the view of the majority in the largest transport consultation in memory."

He called on the county council to listen to the public and progress with the two experimental bus gates.

There are five places in Oxford where bus gates currently operate, the most prominent of which is halfway along the High Street.

Any private cars which pass through them must pay a fine of £60, though some people are exempt.