RESIDENTS who want to see Walton Street in Oxford reopened to traffic have been explaining their position to highways bosses.
Last year, following resurfacing work, the county council decided to close the street at its junction with Worcester Street and Beaumont Street while consulting residents on the ‘experimental’ closure, which could last for 18 months.
While some residents are in favour of the closure - a group called Don’t Choke Jericho! last month staged a Christmas-themed demo at the barriers - others are not at all keen.
A group of residents called Jericho Connections is now urging council bosses to reopen the route to traffic while baseline traffic data is gathered and collated.
READ AGAIN: Walton Street barrier is decorated for Christmas
A spokesman for Jericho Connections said the group has been working hard to get the street reopened.
The spokesman added: “Jericho Connections realises that Oxford suffers significant traffic issues that need to be sustainably addressed both locally and in a more global context.
“We do not disagree with the aims of the county council to improve air quality, reduce congestion, discourage rat runs and create a better environment for pedestrians and cyclists.
“We do not, however, feel that this closure has been implemented in the proper manner and that without baseline data it will be impossible to effectively prove that the closure has been successful in meeting those aims or that it benefits the community as a whole.”
READ AGAIN: Gas works will cause months of disruption on Cowley Road
The spokesman said its members have attended a meeting with a county council manager responsible for transport – in conjunction with representatives from St Bernard’s Road - to present concerns about the impact of the road closure on the backstreets of Jericho, which are ‘experiencing an increase in HGV traffic’.
The group claims there is increased traffic in St Bernard’s Road, Observatory Street, Little Clarendon Street, and Leckford Road.
READ MORE: Prolific thief to be sentenced for stolen meat
Residents on both sides of the argument have gathered names for petitions.
Don’t Choke Jericho! spokesman Jamie Hartzell said earlier he hoped representatives of the two groups would attend a meeting at the start of the year to discuss the issue further.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel