A West Oxfordshire Councillor has expressed concerns that the newly introduced experimental no right turn restriction at Barnard Gate is already being widely ignored by motorists, despite the scheme only recently coming into force.
Oxfordshire County Council introduced an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) on 1st June 2026 prohibiting vehicles from turning right onto the westbound A40 from the two Barnard Gate junctions on the north side of the Oxford-Witney road at Eynsham. The measure forms part of the council's 2025-26 Vision Zero Junction Incident Hotspots Programme and aims to improve safety at a location which has long been identified as problematic due to fast-moving traffic and limited safe gaps for vehicles joining the A40.
The ETRO includes exemptions for agricultural vehicles, which are permitted to continue crossing the A40 to ensure farming operations are not adversely affected, as well as emergency service vehicles responding to incidents.
However, Cllr Liam Walker says residents have already contacted him to report widespread non-compliance with the new restrictions. The County and District Councillor said: "I've received numerous complaints from residents who say drivers are simply ignoring the signs and continuing to turn right. Sadly, it appears that no lessons have been learnt from the expensive 20mph changes across Oxfordshire, where many villages are still complaining about speeding despite significant sums being spent on signage only schemes."
"When I met officers on site before these works were implemented, I raised concerns that signs alone would not be enough to change driver behaviour. I pushed for soft rubber kerbing to be installed to physically encourage vehicles to turn left while still allowing exempt agricultural vehicles to drive over the feature and continue their journeys as required."
"I don't want to see cameras installed because this shouldn't be something the council starts making money from. I simply want to see council officers designing schemes that will actually work and listening to the feedback they receive from local residents and elected members."
The council says the experiment is being introduced ahead of the completion of the Access to Witney (Shores Green) project, expected to open in July 2026, which will provide an alternative route for drivers travelling from Freeland and the A4095 to join the westbound A40, reducing demand at the Barnard Gate junctions.
Under the ETRO process, the restriction is being trialled before any decision is taken on whether it should become permanent. The public consultation period will run for six months, during which residents and road users can experience the changes and submit their views. At the end of the consultation period, Oxfordshire County Council will review the impacts of the scheme, including any objections or letters of support, before deciding whether to make the restriction permanent, remove it, or extend the trial period.
The council has confirmed that the experiment will be closely monitored, including levels of compliance and the impact on all road users. Should the restriction be recommended for permanent implementation, further supporting measures may also be considered.
Residents are encouraged to participate in the consultation and share their views with Oxfordshire County Council. Responses must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 20 November 2026, marking the end of the initial six-month consultation period.
