The experimental westbound bus lane on St Clement’s Street and Headington Road was approved yesterday (November 14) by Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management.
Mr Gant said the bus lane has “clearly done more good than harm” and “clearly has worked”.
He added: “We never thought there was going to be the magic bullet that would solve everything all at once, but is had made some difference.
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“I think the numbers are quite striking – journey time improvements of 25 per cent.”
The approval included retaining other measures which were previously introduced to accommodate the bus lane.
These were the removal of the on-street parking bay between Caroline Street and Boulter Street, conversion of parts of the existing eastbound cycle lane from ‘mandatory’ to ‘advisory’, and removal of a short section of eastbound cycle lane between Boulter Street and Bath Street.
Another measure was the extension of existing cycle lanes in both directions at the signalled crossing west of Caroline Street by relocating the crossing zig zag markings.
Officers were also instructed to review the need for the bus lane following the introduction of the trial traffic filters approved in November 2022.
Andrew Gant noted that Oxford City Council support the introduction of a permanent bus lane, but it had expressed concerns about increased traffic towards the city centre and said it is not clear how the scheme will impact cyclists.
He said: “Since this scheme significantly affects cycling, we find it startling that cycling is not mentioned in the motivational background to it.”
Mr Yee added “the traffic filters may well reduce traffic to the point where the bus lane is not necessary”, but added it would not be to the point “where most people will be willing to cycle mixed with motor traffic”.
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Addressing the concerns, Mr Gant said: “Firstly, we’re analysing it only as a bus measure, not as a cycle measure.
“Secondly, we’re analysing the impact on cycling by saying – well done, it hasn’t got any worse, should we be doing better.
“No measure exists in isolation, and a bus lane is also a cycle lane to some extent.”
He added that it provides a space for cyclists to use not in the same space as cars.
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