Dreams and nightmares

On December 9, the My Jericho meeting discussed the biggest issue currently facing Jericho – the long-term closure of Walton Street. The café in the Community Centre was packed with more than 35 people who came to share their dreams (and for some, nightmares) for the future of our ‘high street’. It was fascinating.

As might have been expected from the advance billing, the ‘dreamers’ were in the majority, but here was also a small, organised group from Jerichoconnections – the ‘reopen the street’ tendency. They were allowed to distribute their flyers and have a full say in a very civilised discussion. People spoke from an empty chair at the front not shouting across the room. That worked.

The ‘dreamers’ saw the environmental and community benefits of a nearly car-free Walton Street. A new life could emerge from the chrysalis of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The ‘naysayers’, who were in the minority, felt the consultation process was based on insufficient data and had not been comprehensive. They wanted it revisited. They questioned the process rather than the principle, though they did not clarify their ultimate aims.

The drawbacks were pointed out – an alleged drop in trade for local businesses (never properly quantified and hotly disputed), access for emergency vehicles (though one participant had simply moved the barrier aside to let an ambulance through), the spill-over to neighbouring streets – Observatory Street and St Bernard’s Road. But once again evidence tended towards hearsay rather than empirical. And, worst of all, a longer journey to the Botley Road and Waitrose! The dial-a-bus service say they cannot serve Jericho because Walton Street is closed – though that could be sorted out with a bus gate.

There was a good deal of dispute over whether air quality, particularly sulphur dioxide emissions, can be adequately measured. Susanne Pressel reported that air quality is regularly measured and is appreciably better.

Suggestions for additions or changes included bus gates, as in Oxford High Street, rising bollards, as at Phil and Jims in Aristotle Road, more trees, restricted delivery times for lorries, or a roundabout by Worcester College. Wider pavements and speed bumps were also put forward.

The road had now been closed for nigh on six months. Chaos had not come to Oxford traffic nor to Beaumont Street. For some, quite the contrary. Two people with respiratory problems said their quality of life had been much improved. One resident from Richmond Road point out the benefits accruing from the Worcester Street end: a safer street, less pollution – peace and quiet.

One speaker warned ominously of the wider Connecting Oxford proposal which he saw as aimed at cutting the main arteries into the city. “It means disconnectivity!” Conspiracies everywhere! He promised that if the closure became permanent, he would move out Jericho.

For those opposed, there was a suspicion of bad faith and sleight of hand. Councillor Pressel conceded that the consultation had not been well-handled, saying that the transport decision makers had decided to seize the opportunity of the closure for repairs in the summer to trial a longer closure. This had been done after an initial consultation with key stakeholders proved positive. The longer and wider consultation started on November 18th and will extend for at least six months maybe followed by a further twelve.

John Mair who arranges and organizes the My Jericho meetings, umpired fair play, encouraging active debate, stopping the participants shouting and talking over one another and keeping order among rollickers and irate tradespersons. All parties left happy.

‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’ can work and in Waltham Forest in North East London they do work. Businesses there had adapted their model to the new reality; a potential learning experience for those in Little Clarendon Street and Walton Street. The audience was implored to research schemes that were working and return with solutions for the next meeting. ‘Cafe culture’ could come to OX2.

All in all, it was a fruitful discussion. The alternatives were a bit of peace in the centre of oxford with cars as visitors, or a free-for-all dominated by cars. Vibrant street life or traffic pollution. But, as ever, it is down to the transport planners at County Hall and our elected officials and especially residents of Jericho and beyond.

Reporting by John Mair and Roger Howe

Links:

County Council consultation – The official public consultation on the closure of Walton Street.

Connecting Oxford – Plans by the County and City Councils to tackle congestion and the poor public transport connections into and across Oxford

DontChokeJericho—A group which wants the closure to continue

Jerichoconnections—A group which wants the street to reopen

Coming dates

January 8, ‘My Jericho’ – A second discussion on Walton Street. Participants are encouraged to give ideas how to realize their dreams for Walton Street. Note this requires advance booking. 5.30 pm, Jericho Community Centre

March 16 – Jericho Community Association AGM. This will discuss the Walton Street closure, with local Councillors and Council officers. 7.30 pm. Cohen quad, Exeter College, Walton Street.

May 29 – Close of public consultation.