New LTN bollards installed in Oxford St Clement's ward

Motorists are now physically blocked from taking a shortcut down Jeune Street in the St Clement's area of Oxford as barriers were installed in July. 

LTNs - which restrict traffic through residential areas - were introduced in Oxford in May 2022 with the aim of making streets safer but have since proved controversial and been blamed for increasing congestion.

LTNs in east Oxford. (Image: Ed Nix.)

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St Clement's ward councillor Alex Powell said: "Many residents were pleased to see the long awaited installation of bollards in Jeune Street.

"These were installed following repeated calls from Jeune Street residents.

"Their installation responds, in particular, to a concern that even though Jeune street is a one-way street, cars were often travelling both ways along it at high speed.

"I know that many residents are very happy to see the bollards in place."

Alex Powell. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

Independent county councillor Saj Malik, who works as a taxi driver, said he believed there "shouldn't be any LTN in Jeune Street to start with".

He added: "Camera enforcement is better because if emergency services require access at least they can get it.

"Imagine if a police car is chasing someone who isn't in a car- they won't be able to get through.

"Jeune Street itself is not a very wide road and so emergency vehicles cannot do a three-point turn.

Saj Malik. (Image: Oxford City Council.)

"My first concern is always the safety of people."

A trader at Rachel's - opposite Jeune Street in St Clement's - called Kean, who did not disclose their surname, said: "I disagree with the installation of the bollards at Jeune Street.

Rachel's on St Clements. (Image: Google Maps.)

"They have caused significant inconvenience for drivers, making it difficult to access the area.

"This change has also negatively impacted nearby businesses, as customers find it harder to access them. Overall, the measures are totally more disruptive than beneficial."

But Robin Tucker, co-chairman of the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, said: "The restriction will not be a surprise to residents as they campaigned for it because of dangerous drivers – too many were driving down it too fast, the wrong way, or making illegal right turns.

"This should be a safe residential street and the fast 'rat-run' traffic had become a danger to people.

"Whether bollards or Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is best for a traffic restriction depends on the case."

Robin Tucker. (Image: Contribution.)

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: "The LTN closure at the junction of Jeune Street and St Clement’s has been introduced in response to longstanding concerns from Jeune Street residents.

"Residents told us about vehicles ignoring the no right turn prohibition at the junction, driving the wrong way on the one-way street, and driving fast.

"The measure formed part of the six-week consultation on changes to east Oxford LTNs in summer 2023.

Jeune Street bollards. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

"The county council’s cabinet approved the introduction of an LTN closure at the junction of Jeune Street and St. Clement’s at the cabinet meeting October 17 2023.

"The decision was published in a press release on the same day.

"Residents and businesses in the area were informed about the works by letters and posts on the NextDoor social media platform."

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi