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Transport

 

Discussions have continued since the workshop of 23 April, (see reports here).

This summary will be supported by additional pages as they develop and are here posted for comment:

 Summary   v020909

Present Situation

  • Most of Oxford's people live in conventional urban areas, around a city centre of great charm and heritage value.
  • There is a strong cycling tradition, and its waterways especially offer the opportunity for very pleasant walking routes.
  • Despite the city's antiquated road system and general layout, Oxford is as addicted to private car ownership as any other early 21st century UK city. Air quality and congestion are frequently-cited problems.
  • The rail provision is limited and although there is enormous commuter-demand, the network does not serve most neighbouring towns.
  • Bus use is high, but there is no light rail or tram provision.

Anticipated trends and changes that will affect this

  • Oil prices are likely to be more volatile and continue to rise.
  • The need to reduce CO2 emissions significantly will become more imperative.
  • Average personal wealth and consumption levels are high, the local economy is considered bouyant, and National Government forecasts that the population of central Oxfordshire will rise by another 100,000 in the next few decades.
  • Extreme weather events, capable of disrupting transport systems, are becoming more common, and some of Oxford is particularly vulnerable to flooding.
  • Technological advances promise many innovations, with few delivered.

The extent and rate of these trends into the future is subject to controversy.

Recommendations     (More detail here)

  • Walk more
  • Re-localisation of much economic, social and cultural activity, reducing travel needs.
  • Spatial planning that locates homes, workplaces, and retail outlets within reach of each other, either by proximity or along well-served routes.
  • Provision of rail/light rail/tram/bus/coach networks wherever large numbers of people move along similar routes.
  • Integration of rail, tram and bus networks (locations and times), making it easy for users to make a journey using combinations of all modes.
  • Provision of high quality cycle routes, that have precedence over private motor cars.
  • Educational and promotional campaigns to encourage behavioural and attitudinal changes, supporting use of all low-carbon alternatives to private motor cars as the mode of first choice. Disincentivise use of cars where sustainable alternatives are available.

   Scope of present Chapter

The most significant transport issues in Oxford are journeys within the city and daily commutes from the surrounding area. This Chapter addreses these issues, and recognises that in doing so it neglects issues and solutions applicable at the street level, at national and international level, and around freight and distribution of goods and services.

This is a work under continuing development.

 

See also "Towards a Transport Energy Descent Plan for Oxford",

a report by Steve Melia, commissioned by Sustrans for Transition Oxford