Oxford City Council's pedestrian-friendly and cycle improvements to Market Street are permanent, following a decision from the Highways Authority, Oxfordshire County Council.
The change, first introduced under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) in spring 2024, was approved to be made permanent by the County Council Cabinet Member for Transport Management at a meeting on 4 September following an 18-month trial which included two public consultation periods.
Market Street will now be a permanent pedestrian and cycle zone, with exemptions for specific motor vehicles requiring access, including:
- Delivery vehicles loading and unloading in marked bays
- Taxis and private hire vehicles dropping off and collecting passengers
- Blue Badge holders
- Patients with mobility difficulties being dropped off or picked up at the Northgate Health Centre
The number of loading bays has been reduced and changed to a parallel layout to increase space for pedestrians and cyclists. The designation of the street as a pedestrian and cycle zone has allowed more effective use of this reduced amount of space for loading by Covered market traders. It has also allowed an enhancement to the public realm and a better welcome for people visiting the Covered Market.
One loading bay near the health centre has been converted for dual use, providing loading for part of the day and parking for the rest of the day for Blue Badge holders visiting the health centre and nearby shops.
During the 18-month trial, Oxford City Council carried out temporary works to improve the street for pedestrians. It now plans further changes for the area as part of the wider Covered Market regeneration project, including improvements to toilet facilities and a new communal space.
Market Street is an integral part of the Covered Market and its 250-year history. The decision to make the street’s pedestrian and cycle-friendly improvements permanent will ensure it remains that way.
Comment
“Permanently making Market Street a safer, more welcoming space for pedestrians and cyclists is a big step in our plans to improve the city centre, support the future of the Covered Market and help our small businesses to flourish.”
Councillor Alex Hollingsworth, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Culture
“The changes we have made to Market Street in partnership with the city council have clearly been a great success - giving more space and priority to pedestrians and cyclists travelling through and to the street and this is very clearly in line with our adopted transport policies.
“The success of the changes is thanks in no small part to the hard work by city and county officers particularly in engaging key stakeholders and users of the street making sure the design took their needs into account.”
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management
More information about the regeneration of the Covered Market is available on Oxford City Council’s website.
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