Transform Oxford was launched in Autumn 2008 to transform the pedestrian experience in Oxford city centre. We want to achieve the standard of pedestrian experience that the city deserves, whilst maintaining good, safe access for everyone to great shopping and public spaces with improvements in air quality.

Frideswide Square

On 13 March 2012, our Cabinet approved a plan to transform Frideswide Square – one of Oxfordshire’s most important road junctions and public spaces. The aim is to create a square that can better handle the tens of thousands of journeys that use it every day, with traffic flowing slowly but steadily - creating a safe, efficient and attractive environment for all road users.

The scheme is a key part of the regeneration of Oxford’s West End. Together with improvements to the railway station (which has experienced 50 per cent passenger growth since 2003) expected over the next few years, it will create a high quality, welcoming gateway for Oxford.

The improvements will also help to pave the way for future growth across the West End of Oxford, boosting the Oxfordshire economy.

The design

In March 2011, the council approved a design approach for Frideswide Square with no traffic signals and including compact roundabouts. Two options based on roundabouts (the 'Oval' and 'Boulevard') were approved.

Further planning, design and consultation on the two options was completed during 2011 and early 2012. In March 2012, officers reported this further work to the council’s Cabinet and recommended that the Boulevard option should be pursued.

Boulevard design (click image to see a larger version)

The Cabinet agreed this recommendation on 13 March. The Boulevard was supported by local organisations and the council believes this option will better help businesses occupying the square, will be more deliverable because the work would not involve land beyond the highway boundary, and will be more flexible to future developments in the area.

Detailed design work on the scheme will be completed during 2012, with a target construction start date early in 2013. 

Completed projects

Improvements to Queen Street - 2009

After

Before

Huge improvements were made to the pedestrian experience in Queen Street in 2009 with the relocation of all bus stops to nearby streets, a reduction in the number of buses passing through the street by a third and a resurfaced pedestrian footway and road surface.

Our proposals have significantly improved the appearance of the street and reduced noise and air pollution. 

Reducing bus traffic and emissions in the city centre

In 2011, we joined the Oxford Bus Company and Stagecoach Oxfordshire in launching a ground-breaking network of coordinated timetables and smarter ticketing on Oxford’s main bus routes so that passengers are able to use one ticket for services from either bus company.

This has resulted in fewer buses on Oxford’s streets: helping to reduce congestion and improve the pedestrian experience in the city centre. At the same time, the number of seats has been maintained for passengers through the use of larger vehicles which are among the greenest buses in the country and will deliver huge benefits for the environment. 

The scheme is the first of its kind in the UK and follows innovative working by all three partners. 

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