Controversial Walton Street barrier is likely to be removed

Twenty months ago the barrier was installed at the junction of Walton Street with Beaumont Street and Worcester Street with little warning after a roadworks scheme.

The 'temporary' measure immediately divided people in the community with some wanting the barrier to remain and others, including some traders wanting it removed.

Drivers unable to use Walton Street started using neighbouring streets including the narrow St Bernard's Road as rat runs, prompting further protest.

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Now, following a meeting with stakeholders last night the council is to consult on a new proposal, in advance of the 'temporary' scheme's traffic order running out on May 17.

Jamie Hartzell, of Jericho Low Traffic Neighbourhood Group, said he was disappointed talks with the council about creating a LTN for Jericho appeared to have come to nothing.

He added: "After 18 months of discussion and a successful application to central government for funding, Oxfordshire County Council has pulled out of establishing a low traffic neighbourhood in Jericho and Walton Manor.

"A consultation will launch this Friday that is expected to offer residents and businesses a Hobson’s choice between the introduction of either two no right turns and a no left turn, and reopening the road, or fully reopening the road.

"This contradicts previous bold proposals from the council such as the pedestrianisation of Walton Street, a modal filter in Walton Street to prevent through traffic and keeping the Walton Street Barrier in place, all of which now seen to have been withdrawn."

The county council's press office has declined to confirm the barrier will be removed.

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Spokesman Jonathan Sayers said: "Residents in the Jericho and Walton Manor areas of Oxford are to be asked to give their views on proposals to introduce new active travel pilot measures to make it safer for cycling and walking in a consultation that opens on Friday until March 19.

"The pilot measures proposed will aim to address through-traffic so that residents can enjoy a quieter neighbourhood and feel safer when they walk, cycle or use mobility scooters.

"The measures will be implemented using an experimental traffic regulation order, which will be in place for no more than 18 months.

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"The consultation webpage will be open for six months after implementation to allow people to offer their views throughout this time."

It is understood the proposals include the removal of the barrier and introducing a no left turn from Little Clarendon Street into Walton Street, a no right turn from Walton Street into Worcester Street, and a no right turn from Beaumont Street into Walton Street.

Our group is bitterly disappointed by this decision," added Mr Hartzell, chair of the Jericho and Walton Manor Low Traffic Neighbourhood Group.

He said: "Only three weeks ago councillors and local community groups were presented with a series of design options for a low traffic neighbourhood, one of which had 70% support.

"Then last night they presented just one completely new option to the same group that almost no one supported.

"The consultation will force people to choose between two unacceptable options. They will feel obliged to choose the least bad option, which will allow the council to claim majority support for their plans.”

Jericho and Osney county councillor Susanna Pressel said: "We were promised a Low Traffic Neighbourhood for Jericho and that’s not what is now being offered. This is very disappointing.

"The idea was to make the streets quiet and pleasant, in order to encourage more walking and cycling. This proposal will not do that. There will be no extra space for pedestrians, and cyclists will not feel safer on the roads if this scheme goes ahead."

St Margaret's county councillor John Howson said: "This is just one more example of the Council purporting to make bold decisions on transport but then not having the courage to go through with them.

"We have seen them go back on so many of their proposals, such as no right turns into St Bernard’s Road and Leckford Road, which will under these proposals will again see a huge increase in traffic. They are just wasting public funds and everybody’s time by giving lip service to active travel and then delivering nothing."

A spokesperson from the Jericho Traders Association said: "It's been a challenging time for Jericho businesses and it seemed odd to be restricting 'destination-Jericho' traffic to our 40 plus shops, pubs, cafes and restaurants with the current barrier. 

"We fully support the council's objective to cut through traffic in Jericho which would in turn encourage cycling and walking. 

"The new proposal to remove the barrier is something which the businesses broadly support. 

"It would be a big morale boost for us all at such a tricky time. Being able to draw a line under this and rebuild our businesses with the road closure situation resolved would create stability for us all and attract new businesses in. Our shopping neighbourhood is a beautiful Victorian annexe to central Oxford with a cosmopolitan vibe. Customers have been using our shops a bit like a market town during lockdown and we're looking forward to bouncing back."

A decision on the latest proposals could be taken by the council on April 29.

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