Pavements near Oxford station ‘too narrow’ for visitors

John Howson, a former Liberal Democrat county councillor, who lives near the rail station and has noticed how there is often not enough room on the narrow pavements in Hythe Bridge Street for the large number of pedestrians who use them.

The street is one of the most popular routes for visitors arriving at the rail station who walk to the city centre.

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Mr Howson said now is a good time to review the matter as traffic could get worse when the Botley Road reopens.

The road is due to reopen at the end of August following a three-and-a-half year closure linked to work connected with a multi-million pound upgrade of Oxford station.

Pedestrians in Hythe Bridge Street (Image: John Howson)

Mr Howson said: “Should the county council consider closing Hythe Bridge Street to through traffic, and just use Park End Street as the north-south route through the city, especially now we have the congestion charge and reduced traffic flows?

“This issue was highlighted during a recent Oxford University open day, which brought large numbers of visitors from the railway station heading to Broad Street in the city centre.

“The pavements in Hythe Bridge Street between the end of the canal and Worcester Street have always been an issue for pedestrians, but the closure of the footpath between Rewley Road and Upper Fisher Row for long-term building works has brought the issue into sharper focus.”

Pedestrians in Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford (Image: John Howson)

Mr Howson added: “Hythe Bridge Street could remain a shared space between these two roads for residents and deliveries, and only in use for emergency vehicles between the canal and Worcester Street. All other traffic could be routed via Park End Street.

“There might need to be additional measures to stop cars queuing for the Westgate car park blocking the Park End Street junction at Frideswide Square, but that is something, especially at weekends, the county council should have tackled months ago.

“As a part of this change, the routing of buses to and from the station forecourt might also be worth reconsidering, as the current arrangement in Frideswide Square is not conducive to good timekeeping during periods of heavy traffic.

“The reopening of the Botley Road in September will only make matters worse, if nothing is done, as there will be a new influx of vehicles from the west towards the city centre and Westgate.”

Former county councillor John Howson (Image: Contributed)

Oxford Pedestrians Association has long identified Hythe Bridge Street as one of the worst congestion points for pedestrians.

It said in a statement that the county council should consider a radical change to improve life for pedestrians heading into the city centre from the station, adding the street should be “closed to through motorised traffic to create a safe and pleasant walking and cycling route between the station and city centre”.

Chairwoman Sushila Dhall said: “The pavements on Hythe Bridge Street especially at the east half of the road are far too narrow considering they are the main route between the station and the city centre. Pedestrians frequently spill out into the road.”

The county council has been asked to comment.