Temporary meadow set to be laid in plans to pedestrianise Broad Street

Half of Broad Street between Turl Street and Magdalen Street East could soon be sealed off to motorists and transformed into one of the 'city centre’s largest outdoor public spaces'.

Restaurants would be able to place tables and chairs in the town square, gigs and events could be held there, and cyclists could still use the street as an east-west route.

The temporary closure would take place between early July and the autumn.

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Oxford City Council has now applied for permission to close the street from Oxfordshire County Council, which is responsible for roads in the city.

Images illustrating the new town square show planters and temporary lawns places in the middle of the street alongside new trees and benches.

Tom Hayes, the city council's deputy leader said: “On a perfect summer day, children will be able to play, people will be able to pause for cool refreshments. With a beautiful meadow and some flower power, we can bring Broad Street back to life.

“In the longer term, this council wants to pedestrianise more of the city and give the whole of Broad Street back to local people. For the summer, we will keep the cycle through route on Broad Street and seek to do the same for a permanent scheme.”

Deputy city council leader Tom Hayes, with former county councillor Yvonne Constance in Broad Street which could be pedestrianised in the summer. Picture: Ed Nix

A survey earlier this year by Oxford landscape architects LDA Design gathered opinions from businesses and colleges on the street, and walking and cycling groups.

News of the closure has since been welcomed by businesses on the street, including by Rebecca MacAlister, Regional Manager for Oxford's Blackwell's Bookshop

She said: "We welcome the Council's plans for temporary pedestrianisation of the West End of Broad Street this summer and are confident that the increased public realm in this part of the city will be a good development for all residents and visitors to Oxford, as well as encouraging customers to visit our shops here on Broad Street.”

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Plans to pedestrianise the street come as Covid restrictions ease and shops are able to reopen.

Many restaurants and bars across the city have begun to apply for pavement licenses to place tables and chairs outside their premises.

Andrew Gant, leader of the city council's Lib Dem opposition welcomed the plans, but said they had 'limited ambition', calling for a 'bold, coordinated approach to managing the historic centre of our beautiful city'.