Proposed changes in Traffic Regulation Orders associated with removing all buses from Queen Street

Cyclox response to Oxfordshire County Council consultation on changes when Westgate re-opens. The main one affecting people on bikes is to trial 24/7 cycling in Queen Street from Autumn 2017.

See

Cyclox’s headline response

Queen Street

  • strongly support an 18-month experiment removing restrictions to permit cycling at all times in Queen Street
  • success in sharing the space between those on foot and those on a bike will depend crucially on very good visual, tactile and other guidance, including signage[1] and visual psychology
  • current street design is already broadly appropriate as shared space for pedestrians and cyclists
  • wrong to delineate cycle lane(s) preferentially or exclusively for cyclists in the centre of the street
  • acknowledge that visually-impaired and mobility-constrained people may feel apprehensive, but experience elsewhere provides effective solutions
  • object to allowing taxis to enter Queen Street from Carfax in daytime, with turning near the Clarendon Centre

St Aldate’s and Carfax

  • Overall, neither object nor approve.
  • concerned that the increased bus flows will worsen cycling still further – more bus obstructions at stops, more conflicts with pedestrians crossing, poorer air quality. At minimum, we need kerbside advisory cycle lanes that skirt around bus stop areas.
  • more pedestrian and cycle crossings, there are currently none between High St and Speedwell St.
  • instal advance stop lines for cycles at the signalled crossing at Carfax
  • redesign Carfax as a place for pedestrians and those on bikes, not a thoroughfare for vehicles between St Aldates and High Street
  • object to removing ban on taxis and PHVs proceeding from Folly Bridge to St Aldates – but OK with buses[2] and contract coaches

Worcester Street – New Road junction: proposed roundabout

  • neither object nor approve, to change the current signalled crossing points to unsignalled crossings, but should replace with Tiger[3] not Zebra crossings
  • require well-designed outbound and inbound cycle lanes between New Road through roundabout to Park End Street, of a standard suitable for less experienced people on bikes

High Street

  • approve replacement of loading bay with bus stop

Drafted by Alison Hill, Simon Hunt, Kath Cochrane

[1]. Examples elsewhere in the U.K. include: "Share the Space; drop your pace" (e.g. Canal Trust); "Respect" (e.g. Cambridge, next to symbols for pedestrian and bike); "Pedestrian priority: considerate cycling welcomed" (e.g. Hackney; Didcot Station); "Slow down; ring bell; say thanks when passing" (Edinburgh Bike Polite campaign); "Cyclists please cycle with care through this area" (Bristol City); "Share with care" (Stirling). Tell if you know other good ones.

[2]. Buses are already allowed

[3] Permits cycles and pedestrians at the crossing, separated, and without dismounting