Drivers to be blocked from using 10 country lanes under controversial Oxford car ban plans

The authority's Quiet Lanes pilot will see gates and bollards installed on selected country roads across the region, preventing through traffic from using them.

It has sparked criticism from opposition councillors, who argue the scheme goes beyond the original purpose of Quiet Lanes and unfairly targets motorists.

The council has admitted its approach differs from Department for Transport guidance, which describes Quiet Lanes as roads where pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders and vehicles share the space together.

However, council leaders insist the measures are needed because traditional approaches, such as signs, have failed to reduce traffic levels and vehicle speeds on rural roads.

David Henwood, leader of the Independent Oxford Alliance group on the council, accused the authority of misusing the policy. "Quiet Lanes were created to preserve quiet roads, not to create them."

He told the BBC that the council had misunderstood the original aim of the scheme and was using it as a way to introduce wider restrictions on drivers.

Mr Henwood warned that turning Quiet Lanes into a tool for road closures risked undermining both the purpose and spirit of the legislation.

His criticism centres on the belief that the designation was designed to protect roads that were already quiet, rather than make roads quieter by banning through traffic.

Councillor Liam Walker, who represents Hanborough and Hailey, also raised concerns about the plans, saying: "Safety is vital, but it's become a get-out clause [for the council] to close roads rather than building the foot and cycle paths we need."

Mr Walker claimed that shutting roads would simply push traffic onto neighbouring routes instead of tackling transport issues.

He highlighted proposals affecting the route between Witney and Carterton and questioned why the council would restrict a key link between two towns where thousands of new homes are being built.

The councillor said investment should instead be focused on dedicated cycling and walking routes rather than road closures that could leave some rural communities feeling cut off.

Despite this, Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport management, said: "Preserving the character of the pilot lanes is at the heart of this programme, ensuring that country lanes are not undermined by inappropriate traffic."

He argued that restricting just 10 roads across the county would have little impact on most drivers, adding that most motorists wouldn't notice any changes.

According to provisional Department for Transport figures published in May, the number of people killed or seriously injured on Oxfordshire's roads fell by around 18 per cent compared with the previous year.

During the same period, casualties across the wider Thames Valley region increased by around 20 per cent.

Council leader Tim Bearder said the improvement showed the benefits of lower speed limits and road safety measures.

He said Oxfordshire had chosen to "take speed seriously", adding that reducing vehicle speeds helps save lives and lowers the severity of injuries when collisions happen.

The proposed quiet lanes

• Blackthorn - Blackthorn Village (Lower Road and Station Road)
  
• Wendlebury, Chesterton, Weston-on-the-Green - Wendlebury Road
  
• Kennington - Bagley Wood Road
  
• Radley - Sugworth Lane
  
• Curbridge, Lew, Brize Norton - Witney Road
  
• Hanwell, Bourton - Hanwell Lane (between Hanwell and Great Bourton)
  
• Stoke Lyne, Caversfield - Road through Bainton
  
• Towersey - Roads connecting Towersey to B445 and A4129
  
• Ewelme - Cat Lane / Firebrass Hill
  
• Lockinge, Wantage - Road through West Lockinge
  
• Combe - Park Road
  
• Marston - Elms Drive
  
• Longcot - Mailings Lane