Your recent report of the approval of the initial traffic order for Frideswide Square – a scheme that now, as you noted, also encompasses the George Street/Worcester St junction – failed to report the concerns I raised at the meeting about the effects of this new crossroads on traffic travelling between the north of Oxford and key city centre areas, including the new Westgate development; the station; town and county halls, as well as other venues.

For many this represents their only route through the city.

Figures sent to me by the traffic engineers appear to show no gain from the scheme for traffic travelling north in either the morning or evening rush hours. This is no doubt because of the presence of four sets of traffic lights that are between Upper Fisher Row and the junction of Beaumont Street and St Giles.

I am sure that many travelling to London by train from North Oxford will in future opt to use the new park and ride station on the Chiltern Line rather than face an unpredictable journey to the present station.

The bottleneck that is the Worcester Street/George Street junction is unfit for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, and HGVs should be banned from using it except for delivery purposes.

I will be watching to see whether the new junction improves matters, and how it affects residents living in the north of the city.

Cllr John Howson
Lib Dem County Councillor
St Margaret’s Division

 

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