The scheme to pedestrianise Broad Street in Oxford is nearing completion.
Parking spaces have been removed by the county council and planters have been positioned throughout the street, which could remind shoppers of 'Broad Meadow', the city council project which proved popular last summer.
The county council wants to deliver new access to green space throughout Oxfordshire’s urban areas, to promote wellbeing, and a greener cityscape while encouraging less reliance on cars for local trips.
Read again: Broad Street transformed into Broad Meadow
Providing a social open space in Oxford’s Broad Street builds on the success of Broad Meadow, according to the county council.
A spokeswoman said contractors aimed to finish the work in the week beginning October 24.
At the moment, there are still lots of fences and bollards surrounding the planters.
The council website says: "The Broad Street project will transform Broad Street’s historic highway into an accessible and welcoming space for everyone to enjoy in the heart of the city.
"A wider pedestrian area complemented with seating and planting creates an environment where people can meet with friends and socialise, or just take a break and enjoy the area between working, sightseeing, shopping, dining, or seeing shows or concerts.
"The scheme is provisionally set to stay in place for up to 18 months."
The council added: "When Broad Meadow was introduced between July and October 2021 it drew more than 100,000 visitors with 90% of respondents to a consultation by Oxford City Council saying they would like to see the project happen again.
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"This new Broad Street scheme will offer a larger public space for the local community, businesses and event organisers to use throughout the year for the duration of an experimental period from autumn 2022 to spring 2024."
The council said as part of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order, approved in July, there will be a consultation lasting six months to understand the impact and overall success of the scheme.
This will include an online survey opening when the scheme launches.
Depending on the successes and experiences of the scheme after 18 months, there is scope to consider extending the project or repeating it in future.
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This would involve opening it out to further public consultation to help decide and shape any future proposals.
For years cyclists, pedestrians and other lobby groups have been calling for the removal of parking spaces from Broad Street.
Read more from this author
This story was written by Andy Ffrench, he joined the team more than 20 years ago and now covers community news across Oxfordshire.
Get in touch with him by emailing: Andy.ffrench@newsquest.co.uk
Follow him on Twitter @OxMailAndyF
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