Fears are mounting that rural Oxfordshire villages could be cut off amid council plans to impose Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) measures on country lanes.
Oxfordshire County Council has put forward a new pilot scheme – called “quiet lanes” – which it says will make active travel safer in rural areas.
The proposal could see traffic calming measures introduced, which could include complete road closures where alternative vehicle routes are available.
According to the council, the initiative will offer “safe access to enjoy the countryside”.
However, critics have warned the scheme risks isolating rural villages from essential transport links.
Physical infrastructure such as traffic gates and bollards may be installed alongside reduced speed limits as part of the project.
The proposals have drawn comparisons to Oxford’s controversial LTNs, which restrict vehicle movements through certain city routes.
Council leader Tim Bearder, a Liberal Democrat who took up the position earlier this week, outlined the thinking behind the proposal.
Oxfordshire County Council has put forward a new pilot scheme – called ‘quiet lanes’ – designed to make travel safer in rural areas
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“A lot of people living in our towns, villages, or cities want to go out and enjoy the rural landscape but they’re just put off by dangerous roads,” he said.
Mr Bearder emphasised that quiet lanes would only be introduced “where there’s an alternative traffic route.”
“We can reallocate that road space for the benefit of cyclists, pedestrians, people who want to ride horses and it means people have got this safe access to enjoy the countryside,” he added.
Some Oxfordshire locals have voiced their concerns about the scheme’s potential impact.
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The proposals have drawn comparisons to Oxford’s controversial LTNs, which restrict vehicle movements through certain city routes
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Steve, a farmer, told BBC Radio Oxford: “What about the farm track or the machinery that need to manoeuvre down these roads?”
“I just think it’s madness – you can’t just close roads to vehicles when when you’ve got HGVs delivering to and collecting from farms.”
The council has clarified that landowners and farmers will retain access along closed routes and will be consulted when filter locations are chosen.
HGVs “may need to take an alternative and more appropriate route but will not be cut off from their destination,” the authority added.
The council is now working with parish and town councils across the county to identify potential pilot routes.
One proposal under consultation involves closing Shepards Pit Lane in Stanton Saint John.
Resident Nicola Mallows described it as “the main access road” into the village.
“I feel that closing this road is not to the advantage of the residents of Stanton Saint John, whereas chicaning it… may also be a problem,” she said.
Ms Mallows said the scheme was “well-intentioned” but noted most villagers “rely upon a car”.
Parish councillor David Polgreen disagreed, saying: “The idea is that If you actually allow active travel only along there, then people who are cycling and pedestrians and horse riders can just relax.”