Nelson Street – Proposed experimental one-way restriction

At the Full Council held on Tuesday 20 January, Thame Town Council supported Oxfordshire County Council proposal to take forward the experimental one-way restriction at Nelson Street to the Transport Management Cabinet Members Decision meeting on 26 February, and if approved the experimental restriction will be in place for upto a maximum of 18 months.  A general consultation would then be open for a minimum of six months after the scheme is introduced to allow feedback to be given. The County Council would also closely monitor the effects on all road users during the course of the experiment – and should the ETRO be recommended to become permanent in the future, the need for any further supporting measures to ensure compliance would be considered.

 

Following concerns being raised, and through initial informal engagement with the immediate community about the challenges being experienced with the current two-way traffic on Nelson Street in Thame, it has been identified that, when two vehicles travelling in opposite directions meet, there is not enough space for them to pass each other. This results in one vehicle either mounting the footway, which in turn affects the safety of pedestrians, or reversing a significant distance, so that both vehicles can pass. As a result, it is proposed to implement a Northbound one-way traffic restriction on Nelson Street from Southern Road to the fire station on an experimental basis (via an ETRO). The proposal seeks to help reduce incidents of driver conflict, improve road safety, and enhance the street environment.

 

An initial traffic survey was undertaken in 2022 – This identified that approximately 80% of traffic travelled in a Northerly direction, towards Upper High St, whereas approximately 20% of vehicles travelled in the opposite direction, towards Southern Road. Therefore – after initial discussions with residents and the Fire Service – the following changes are proposed to be introduced:

 

• Implement a Northbound one-way movement on Nelson Street from Southern Road to the fire station (80% of current traffic flow).
• The top end of Nelson Street, between the Fire Station and Upper High St. will remain two-way.
• Change of priority at the Nelson Street / Southern Road junction to give priority to those travelling between Elms Road / Windmill Road and Southern Road.