DINERS will be allowed to eat outside on an Oxford street which has been temporarily closed to maintain social distancing from today.

The part pedestrianisation of George Street to allow restaurants and bars businesses to put outdoor tables in the street began this morning.

The road closure, between New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street, will provide space for outdoor tables and chairs for up to 10 hospitality businesses between 10am and 9pm.

Access remains open to Gloucester Street.

Though George Street will be closed to all motorised vehicles, a two-way cycle lane will be retained through the road closure for bikes.

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The new tables and chairs areas aim to support hospitality businesses that need additional space outdoors to be able to operate on a commercial basis whilst maintaining social distancing.

The pedestrianisation will be run as a trial until September 20.

Oxford Mail:

The closure runs between New Inn Hall Street and Cornmarket Street. Picture: Google Maps

Earlier this week Oxfordshire County Council, which is the highways authority for Oxford, announced new temporary positions of George Street bus stops during the road closure.

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Buses that usually run along George Street will be diverted via Beaumont Street or Gloucester Green bus station, with buses stopping in either Beaumont Street, Magdalen Street or Gloucester Green bus station.

In a press release, the city council hinted that George Street could be pedestrianised on a temporary basis again in the future, but only 'if the overall level of traffic is reduced in Oxford city centre'.