Oxford to seek maintained air quality following lockdown

Oxford City Council is exploring the opportunity to make ‘once in a generation’ improvements to transport and public space in the city centre, including maintaining the city’s improved air quality post-lockdown.

The council set out the aim to build on the openings presented by the coronavirus lockdown, and to continue to protect public health. This could include transforming the city centre, maintaining Oxford’s improved air quality, quieter streets, and ensuring safer movement around the city and better use of public space. One idea mooted is to temporarily reallocate road space to allow people to walk and cycle safely into and around Oxford, as well as re-organising bus routes in order to create additional road space required for pedestrians and cyclists.

Oxford City Council is working with Oxfordshire County Council, the University of Oxford and its transport authority to consider a range of temporary and more permanent measures to support businesses and help build confidence among residents, commuting workers, and tourists in the reopening of Oxford’s city centre. The potential measures would be supported and informed by the joint transport projects – Connecting Oxford, and the Oxford Zero Emission Zone – being brought forward jointly with Oxfordshire County Council.

Alex Hollingsworth, cabinet member for Planning and Sustainable Transport, said: “At a time when our daily news is filled with stories of heroism and tragedy it seems strange to be thinking about what Oxford and Oxfordshire might be like when we finally emerge from lockdown. Even so, things will be different. And if things are going to be different, we need to start thinking about how they might be better.

“When it comes to our roads, the COVID lockdown has brought unforeseen benefits. As so many people have said to me, without most of the traffic, streets that are usually noisy, fume-filled spaces dominated by motor vehicles are now places where pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy clean air and hear birds sing. With all the indications are that the lockdown will only be lifted gradually, and that measures like physical distancing will stay in place even as the economy restarts. It means that pedestrians and cyclists will need space not just to stay safe, but to stay healthy.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform our city centre towards a cleaner and more pedestrian friendly environment whilst allowing us to support businesses and the local economy to return to operation. I look forward to working with our partners on continuing to develop our current projects, as well as exploring new ideas which will help to make our roadways and public spaces safer and cleaner after lockdown.”