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A PUBLIC square could be created by pedestrianising part of Oxford’s iconic Broad Street this summer.
The area could be used for outdoor events like concerts or markets, similar to the Christmas Market which is held there, and tables and chairs from nearby restaurants could be placed out too.
Proposals to block off the western end of the street to traffic were announced by Oxford City Council on Tuesday.
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But before anything can go ahead, its needs to apply to Oxfordshire County Council, which is in charge of local highways.
Tom Hayes, the Labour deputy leader of Oxford City Council, said: “Our aim is to pedestrianise more of the city centre and we are passionate about giving all of Broad Street back to people.”
The announcement, which comes ahead of the campaigning period for May’s local elections, could see the western end of the road between Magdalen Street East and just before the junction with Turl Street pedestrianised from late June through to the autumn.
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The city council made calls for the whole street to be pedestrianised as the first lockdown ended last year, but only smaller areas outside certain restaurants, cafes and pubs were turned over to dining space in the end.
The announcement of plans to pedestrianise Broad Street was welcomed by local civic groups.
Debbie Dance, director of Oxford Preservation Trust, said: “Broad Street is one of the best streets in Europe and Oxford Preservation Trust has long wanted to see it become a place for everyone to come to gather and enjoy the space.”
Political opposition leaders also welcomed the scheme, but had concerns about the details.
Craig Simmons, Green Party leader, said: “The big issue we have for when this happens is if they choose not to preserve the cycle access. If this is going to be anything other than temporarily over a few days, as it is with markets and events at the moment, we need to preserve this important cycle through route.”
Liberal Democrat opposition leader Andrew Gant called for a plan to pedestrianise the whole of Broad Street, but one that would also create a holistic scheme for pedestrianisation and public realm improvements across the entirety of Oxford city centre.
The county council said it was aware of the plans.
