I have welcomed confirmation that the Witney Road between Brize Norton and Curbridge will not be turned into a Quiet Lane, describing the decision as a victory for common sense and local campaigning.
The confirmation came from Oxfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Transport during a debate on BBC Radio Oxford, where he stated:
"The Witney Road between Brize Norton and Curbridge will not be one of them, unless one of those Parish Councils changes their mind."
I understand that both Brize Norton and Curbridge Parish Councils do not support the proposal, reflecting the concerns raised by residents, businesses and road users who rely on this important route every day.
From the outset, I opposed the idea of restricting access on the Witney Road. With thousands of new homes planned for Carterton and Brize Norton, reducing connectivity between our communities would have been entirely the wrong approach.
Instead, Oxfordshire County Council should focus on delivering the infrastructure improvements that have long been promised. Better walking and cycling routes are important, but they should be achieved by investing in dedicated infrastructure rather than restricting existing roads.
For many years, I have called for upgrades to the B4477 towards Minster Lovell alongside improvements to the existing bridleway running next to the A40 into Witney. This would provide a genuine, safer route for walkers and cyclists while maintaining access for residents, businesses and visitors.
This decision shows the importance of local voices being heard. I would like to thank everyone who raised concerns and the parish councils for standing up for their communities.
Now the focus must shift to delivering practical transport improvements that support our growing area without penalising those who rely on our road network.
