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Road removed from proposed quiet lanes trial list

Victoria WaltonOxfordshire political reporter
News imageBBC A traditional quiet lanes sign. It is green with images of a pedestrian, horse rider, cyclist and car.BBC
Unlike traditional quiet lanes, Oxfordshire's programme will use physical barriers to prevent cars from using the routes.

A road has been removed from a proposed scheme that would see motor vehicles banned from roads in order to support safer walking, cycling and horse riding.

Oxfordshire County Council's quiet lanes programme is due to begin later this year, with 12 roads being considered for the initial pilot.

But Radley Parish Council has asked for Sugworth Lane to be taken off the list, raising concerns future decisions would be made by the local authority, without referring back to the community.

Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council cabinet member for transport, said routes would only be considered for the trial where there is "support from the parish or town council and county council elected member".

From the initial list of 12 roads considered for a pilot, ten routes would be chosen to be closed to almost all through motor traffic.

Experimental traffic orders would be introduced to allow "physical measures" to close the roads.

Exceptions would be made for residents and emergency services.

Radley Parish Council had previously lent its support for Sugworth Lane to be included in the pilot, on the condition that the trial only lasted six months and that it was robustly monitored.

The lane which runs under the A34 near Abingdon, links Oxford Road and Kennington Road.

Following a meeting last week, the parish council has now written to the county council, "revoking their conditional application" to the initial pilot.

It said it had concerns that "all future decisions would be made by OCC without referring back to the community."

The parish council added that a pilot bid might be considered next year, once the initial trial has been evaluated.

Confirming that Sugworth Lane has now been removed from the list of 12 possible roads for the pilot, the council said the remaining applications will now be assessed "to ensure decisions are transparent, consistent and evidence led."

"This is part of a seven-stage implementation process, which includes local engagement and a cabinet member decision before a pilot is trialled, followed by a statutory consultation to monitor the impact and help in final decision-making," it added.