Oxford roundabout changes lack evidence of promised improvements

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:05 · Archive

Oxfordshire County Council claimed changes to the Rose Hill-Littlemore roundabout would improve bus speeds, but a councillor says there is no evidence of benefits.

Oxfordshire County Council announced in July that changes to traffic signal timings at the Rose Hill-Littlemore ring road roundabout, which connects the A4142 Eastern Bypass and Oxford Road, would improve traffic flow and reduce bus journey times. Councillor Gareth Epps, the cabinet member for transport, described the refurbishment as an investment to improve the roundabout's efficiency and speed up bus journeys.

Following the changes, councillor David Henwood, who represents Littlemore, reported many delays and increased congestion. He lobbied Oxfordshire County Council's highways authority to restore the previous signal phasing, which was subsequently done. A freedom of information response revealed that the work was primarily necessary because the existing traffic signal system was approaching the end of its operational life and needed replacing.

Henwood is now questioning the decision-making process and the justification for the announced improvements. He said residents were repeatedly told about promised benefits to traffic flow and bus services, but asked where the evidence is that these benefits were actually delivered. He stressed that transparency and public trust are linked, and that public confidence suffers when councils make promises they cannot demonstrate have been fulfilled.

How it is being reported

• Roundabout change improvement claims made 'without evidence'Changes made to an Oxford roundabout were claimed to enable improved bus speeds "without evidence" and caused "delays".Oxford Mail · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Roundabout change improvement claims made 'without evidence'Changes made to an Oxford roundabout were claimed to enable improved bus speeds "without evidence" and caused "delays".Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: David Henwood · Gareth Epps · Oxfordshire County Council · Oxford · Rose Hill-Littlemore ring road roundabout

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