A Better Future for All
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Jericho Connections is a community-based campaign group determined to use evidence and data to help tackle the issues facing Jericho - with a particular focus on traffic, environmental concerns and sustaining a vibrant and vital community
The closure of Walton Street in the summer of 2019 was never planned for anything other than dealing with structural issues with the road surface. No research was carried out as to the possible impact the extended closure might have.
Too many lies and too much misinformation has been spread about this closure. Jericho Connections was set up to demand proper research and planning be undertaken before any permanent alterations be made to Walton Street. Join our campaign for an evidence-based review of all the issues surrounding Jericho and help build a better future for all of Jericho - not just a vocal minority. |
If you live in an around Jericho you may well have received our latest leaflet
If not here it is. The consultation end on the 19th March 2021
This is the link to it
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/JerichoandWaltonManorPilot/consultationHome
If not here it is. The consultation end on the 19th March 2021
This is the link to it
https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/JerichoandWaltonManorPilot/consultationHome
Jericho Traders Survey Winter Survey 2021/2
Earlier this year The Jericho Traders Association undertook a survey in which 47 businesses across Jericho and Walton Manor shared their views on a wide range of topics affecting their trade.
We'll be sharing all the detaled results here in the coming days. But one stand out fact is their views on whether Walton Street should be open or not. Not a single business supported its closure.
The full results are in the PDF just here on the right.....................
We'll be sharing all the detaled results here in the coming days. But one stand out fact is their views on whether Walton Street should be open or not. Not a single business supported its closure.
The full results are in the PDF just here on the right.....................
| jta_winter_survey_2021_2.pdf |
This is a map of what is proposed by the Council
Workshop Update February 2021
This week we participated in the 2nd Council run workshop, alongside several other groups and some of the local Councillors. The plan was that we’d review a few ideas based on the feedback the Council had got and reach a consensus on a proposal that could be taken forward for public consultation. Unsurprisingly, we didn’t achieve that.
Some good news and a major outcome was that there is to be no pedestrianization of the north end retail section of Walton Street. The much vaunted and photoshopped proposal from the Jericho LTN (DCJ) group was not part of any of the proposals. Secondly, the “doorstep promise” – that every home and business would have vehicular access - was met.
The common themes of all the proposals were that Walton Street and the junction with Beaumont Street would reopen to two way-traffic – they’ll rely on the “proposed” ZEZ to reduce the volume of traffic flow there. Also, they all had Observatory Street being reversed to become an exit.
There were four proposals put forward; three of which create a physical barrier between Walton Manor and main Jericho for vehicles. One of the stated aims of the workshop was that there should be an equitable distribution of traffic, in our view the first three proposals failed to meet that minimum requirement - with the fourth being the most reasonable of the options, but still not perfect.
Option 1, 2 and 3 had the barrier in different places ranging from between Juxon Street and Kingston Road. Under each of these there would be no access to St Margaret’s Road via Kingston Road. This would mean that traffic including delivery vehicles & HGVs to service the businesses would exit via St Bernard’s Road, Leckford Road or Observatory Street, placing a heavier - literally in the case of delivery vehicles – and an unacceptable burden on them. Alternatively, and if permitted to use the ZEZ some vehicles could perform a U-turn - potentially driving through South Jericho and past St Barnabas School to achieve this - and exit via South Walton Street. The streets in Walton Manor wouldn’t carry any destination-Jericho traffic.
The Council’s goal is to increase active travel. Therefore, it was really disappointing that the suggestions put forward by Jericho Connections - and nearly every other group too - to improve cycling, walking, traffic calming, and public transport weren’t included in any of the proposals from the Council. Their only solutions were to block “in-active” travel or as we call them - cars. There are so many great suggestions that could reduce rat-running and promote active travel, it is sad to see they were ignored - at this stage anyway.
Option 4 was perhaps the fairest in terms of traffic distribution – although it needed more work to include traffic calming and to better deter any rat-running. This had a simple one-way barrier allowing traffic to exit the area to the North along Kingston Road and St Margaret’s (the current designated route in an out for HGVs). This seemed to meet the equitable criteria and it’d likely reduce traffic by half there if it was one-way.
One feeling we were left with is it seems that people want all the amenities of a thriving high street as long as the vehicles that make it functional or the customers that chose it as a destination - and therefore make it viable - don’t come near their street. All options but number 4 have the delivery and HGVs accessing, leaving and circulating around South Jericho and Observatory Street. While residents from Walton Manor seemingly get none but can stroll down to North Walton Street in the hope the shops are still there!
The process was itself was slightly odd as there was a poll on the proposals, but they don’t intend to use the result of that. Also, the councillors were in attendance and had a vote along with the resident/business groups. Given the Councillors also get to influence the ultimate decision that seemed odd too. So, we’re putting it out there now: if the poll is used to indicate levels of support for or against any of the proposals, we’ll question that - as wasn’t just odd but it’d be plain wrong to conclude that.
So what’s next? Well, the Council officers are drawing up a plan to take forward for public consultation. Jericho Connections and the Jericho Traders Association will be campaigning against anything that is inequitable and puts barriers across our community. We’ll be looking closely at Option 4 to see how it could be improved.
Your support will be vital – so please watch out for ways you can share your views and support us.
Some good news and a major outcome was that there is to be no pedestrianization of the north end retail section of Walton Street. The much vaunted and photoshopped proposal from the Jericho LTN (DCJ) group was not part of any of the proposals. Secondly, the “doorstep promise” – that every home and business would have vehicular access - was met.
The common themes of all the proposals were that Walton Street and the junction with Beaumont Street would reopen to two way-traffic – they’ll rely on the “proposed” ZEZ to reduce the volume of traffic flow there. Also, they all had Observatory Street being reversed to become an exit.
There were four proposals put forward; three of which create a physical barrier between Walton Manor and main Jericho for vehicles. One of the stated aims of the workshop was that there should be an equitable distribution of traffic, in our view the first three proposals failed to meet that minimum requirement - with the fourth being the most reasonable of the options, but still not perfect.
Option 1, 2 and 3 had the barrier in different places ranging from between Juxon Street and Kingston Road. Under each of these there would be no access to St Margaret’s Road via Kingston Road. This would mean that traffic including delivery vehicles & HGVs to service the businesses would exit via St Bernard’s Road, Leckford Road or Observatory Street, placing a heavier - literally in the case of delivery vehicles – and an unacceptable burden on them. Alternatively, and if permitted to use the ZEZ some vehicles could perform a U-turn - potentially driving through South Jericho and past St Barnabas School to achieve this - and exit via South Walton Street. The streets in Walton Manor wouldn’t carry any destination-Jericho traffic.
The Council’s goal is to increase active travel. Therefore, it was really disappointing that the suggestions put forward by Jericho Connections - and nearly every other group too - to improve cycling, walking, traffic calming, and public transport weren’t included in any of the proposals from the Council. Their only solutions were to block “in-active” travel or as we call them - cars. There are so many great suggestions that could reduce rat-running and promote active travel, it is sad to see they were ignored - at this stage anyway.
Option 4 was perhaps the fairest in terms of traffic distribution – although it needed more work to include traffic calming and to better deter any rat-running. This had a simple one-way barrier allowing traffic to exit the area to the North along Kingston Road and St Margaret’s (the current designated route in an out for HGVs). This seemed to meet the equitable criteria and it’d likely reduce traffic by half there if it was one-way.
One feeling we were left with is it seems that people want all the amenities of a thriving high street as long as the vehicles that make it functional or the customers that chose it as a destination - and therefore make it viable - don’t come near their street. All options but number 4 have the delivery and HGVs accessing, leaving and circulating around South Jericho and Observatory Street. While residents from Walton Manor seemingly get none but can stroll down to North Walton Street in the hope the shops are still there!
The process was itself was slightly odd as there was a poll on the proposals, but they don’t intend to use the result of that. Also, the councillors were in attendance and had a vote along with the resident/business groups. Given the Councillors also get to influence the ultimate decision that seemed odd too. So, we’re putting it out there now: if the poll is used to indicate levels of support for or against any of the proposals, we’ll question that - as wasn’t just odd but it’d be plain wrong to conclude that.
So what’s next? Well, the Council officers are drawing up a plan to take forward for public consultation. Jericho Connections and the Jericho Traders Association will be campaigning against anything that is inequitable and puts barriers across our community. We’ll be looking closely at Option 4 to see how it could be improved.
Your support will be vital – so please watch out for ways you can share your views and support us.
September Update
Click below to read our September 2020 update and learn about our latest ideas for improving life for all who live and work in Jericho and the surrounding areas.
Petition for a New Jericho Bus Service
Jericho Connections is campaigning to get a new bus service for Jericho. So many of our residents rely on public transport - their needs have to be addressed.
Click below to sign our petition and make your voice heard
Bus Petition - CLICK HERE
Click below to sign our petition and make your voice heard
Bus Petition - CLICK HERE
