Council urged to listen to local opinion over proposed junction changes
30/07/2025
Its feared the changes could result in more congestion, poorer air quality and rat runs created
Oxfordshire County Council are being urged to take notice of local opinion before making a final decision on their proposals for the Cherwell Street and Bridge Street junction in Banbury town centre. Fears have been expressed that the changes as planned will result in more congestion, poorer air quality and rat runs created as people avoid the junction.
One of the aims of the proposed scheme is to improve bus journey times and reliability, but representatives from local groups, organisations and businesses have spoken up in support of the concerns raised by County Councillor and Banbury Town Mayor Kieron Mallon.
The latest designs include changes to bus priority and traffic lane allocations, along with improving traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. The right turn filter lane into Bridge Street from Concorde Avenue would be removed as part of the scheme.
Councillor Mallon said: “We have called on Oxfordshire County Council to reinstate these filter lanes or congestion, poor air quality and rat running will be the result.
“I brought these County proposals to the public early in the year and have gained the support of businesses and organisations who are very concerned. I understand that following the consultation exercise by OCC the responses were overwhelmingly opposed to the scheme”
Ken Gillet from Banbury BID, which represents town centre businesses, said: “The original proposals would have severely affected town centre business who need access and free flowing traffic for delivery purposes. We thank Cllr Mallon for his guidance and perseverance in opposing the original scheme and call on [Oxfordshire County Council] to reconsider”
Some changes have already been made to the initial proposal following an earlier consultation.
Perter Monk of Banbury Civic Society is in favour of some of the changes, but with a caveat. He said: “We support better pedestrian crossings and re phasing the traffic lights at this junction and at George Street junction as long as the through capacity of this major road is not compromised.”
Robert Wingrove from the Banbury Association of Driving Instructors spoke on behalf the group’s members. He said: “After seeing the proposed plans for this junction it was an easy decision to support Councillor Mallon in calling to amend the scheme.
“It would have caused congestion and frustration leading to rat running to avoid it and frustration could have compromised safety”
Its understood a decision on the proposals will take place in early September.
Councillor Mallon said: “I have had extensive talks to Highways officers and convened a special Banbury Traffic Advisory Group meeting … to put our thoughts to officers. We were heartened that they attended and listened to our thoughts and proposals.
“We all want traffic to flow, businesses to prosper and increased pedestrian safety at this location, we think its achievable, we hope [Oxfordshire County Council] agree.”
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
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