Local News · Oxford
Public consultation opens on new Shepherd's Pit Lane 'quiet lane' trial
By Swindon Now Editorial Team · Published
Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation on a trial scheme to restrict through-traffic on Shepherd's Pit Lane, aiming to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.
Oxfordshire County Council has officially opened a public consultation regarding a new traffic-filtering trial on Shepherd's Pit Lane in the parish of Stanton St John. The move is part of the council's recently approved countywide strategy to create 'quiet lanes' by physically restricting through-traffic.
A locked gate has been installed at the Bayswater Road end of the lane to prevent motor vehicles from using the route as a cut-through. The gate features a 1.7-metre gap, allowing people walking, wheeling, cycling, and horse riding to pass through at all times. In addition to the physical barrier, the area is now subject to a 20mph speed limit.
Councillor Gareth Epps, the council's Cabinet Member for Transport Management, emphasised that the trial aims to address long-standing local concerns about road safety and the lack of suitable walking and cycling routes between Stanton St John and Oxford. The decision to use physical barriers rather than signage alone follows evidence from the Transport Research Laboratory, which indicated that sign-only measures rarely achieve significant reductions in traffic volume or speed.
What the changes mean for residents and road users:
Access: The route remains fully accessible for local residents, farmers, landowners, businesses, and emergency services.
Through-traffic: Motorists are advised to use the B4027 Wheatley Road and Bayswater Road, which the council states remains the most direct route for through-traffic.
Safety: The scheme includes verge protection measures alongside the gate to prevent illegal passage or erosion.
The trial is being implemented under an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO), which allows the council to monitor the impact of the scheme in real-time. Data collection will include traffic volume and speed surveys, alongside the public consultation feedback. The experiment is set to run for at least 12 months, with a maximum duration of 18 months.
The public consultation will remain open for at least six months. Following this period, the council will evaluate the collected data and public submissions to determine whether to make the changes permanent, amend the scheme, or remove it entirely.
Residents, business owners, and commuters are encouraged to share their feedback via the council's digital engagement platform, Let's Talk Oxfordshire. Further details, including the project background and survey access, are available on the dedicated consultation page at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/shepherdspitlane_quiet_experiment2026.
Source: Oxfordshire County Council · View original