Results from Lib Dem on-line Transform Oxford survey

6.12.00pm GMT Wed 18th Feb 2009

Oxfordshire Lib Dems have been running an on-line survey about the county council's "Transform Oxford" proposals to extend pedestrianisation in the centre of the city. [You can add your voice by clicking on the link to the left.] The results to date show there is virtually unanimous opposition to any idea of people from East Oxford always having to change buses at The Plain. Opinions seem to be evenly divided about whether there are too many buses in the High Street.

With over 100 people now responding, the following are the main results:

Q1, Do you feel that more pedestrianisation of central Oxford would attract you to visit more often?

Yes, definitely - 3%

Probably - 34%

It depends on other factors - 30%

Probably not - 31%

No - 2%

Q2, Which streets do you feel would benefit most from being pedestrianised?

Broad St - 3%

George St - 10%

Queen St - 19%

Turl St - 15%

New Inn Hall St - 19%

Magdalen St/Magdalen St East - 20%

Beaumont St - 14%

High St - 0%

Q3, If you travel from East Oxford, would you find it acceptable if you always had to change buses at the Plain?

Yes - 1%

No - 98%

Don't know - 1%

Q4, Do you feel that the number of buses on the High St is ....

Far too many - 2%

Too many - 49%

About right - 47%

As many as there need to be - 2%

Q5, Do you feel that the traffic lights outside Debenhams (Cornmarket/George St junction) make it safer for pedestrians?

Yes - 2%

No - 97%

Don't Know - 1%

Q6 - Any other suggestions for improving things for pedestrians in central Oxford?

Plan not joined up - needs of cyclists being ignored.

Pembroke St should be considered for pedestrianisation.

Broad St has great potential - introduce continental style cafes and places to lounge around.

Frideswide Square is a mess for both traffic and pedestrians - this needs special consideration.

Traffic on High St and St Aldate's should be slowed right down, and pedestrians allowed to use road space.

Bus routes need to be rationalised - more needed between Park & Rides/station and residential areas.

Pedestrianisation is a mad idea - reopen Cornmarket and George St to through traffic.

There isn't enough in central Oxford to make pedestrianisation worthwhile

NOTES ON SAMPLING. The participants are anonymous, and no claims can be made that they represent a balanced cross-section of the population. However, there is also no sign that any individuals or groups have tried to influence the results in any direction - there has been a constant flow of a few a day. And there is no reason to think that people have been filling it out randomly or unthinkingly (e.g. not a single respondent has so far suggested the High St for pedestrianisation).

The Lib Dems forwarded these results to the county council's cabinet member, in a spirit of trying to get the best outcome for the people of Oxford, and were disappointed to be told that the results would not necessarily be taken into account, though they "certainly give a flavour to assist in the thinking".