Plans to create a temporary public square at Broad Street in the city centre this summer have been given the green light after Oxford City Council’s application to close part of the street to traffic was approved.
From Saturday 26 June, wooden seating and planters made from local recyclable material will be installed, creating a safe and pleasant outdoor place for residents and visitors to relax and enjoy.
The City Council also hopes to include high-quality community and arts events in the space over the summer, with a two-way cycle route to be preserved throughout Broad Street.
From 01 July, the new recreational space, called Broad Meadow, will be opened to the public. This outdoor space will contain wildflower meadows and lawns and places for Oxford residents and visitors to sit and meet with friends and family.
Drop-down bollards will also be installed near the junctions with Magdalen Street East and Turl Street to restrict vehicle access between 8.00am and 9.00pm, transforming the street into a more people-friendly area with less traffic and safer cycling.
The design of one of Oxford city centre’s largest outdoor public spaces was developed by public realm experts LDA Design and informed through discussions with technical experts and local stakeholders, as well as with businesses and advocacy groups.
The City Council is seeking to promote the safe use of the city centre over the summer, to support Oxford’s economic recovery and to inform the development of longer-term options for creating better civic spaces on Broad Street and in other parts of the city in the future.