THE closure of a busy Oxford road could be lifted next week.

An experimental traffic order has been in place for Walton Street in Jericho since last November to improve safety and air quality.

But a report to Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for environment, Yvonne Constance, recommends removing the closure at next Thursday's delegated decisions meeting.

It comes as the council rethinks transport arrangements across the county as part of its Active Travel Covid recovery programme.

A statement said ending the closure could 'pave the way for a future low-traffic neighbourhood (LTN)', which uses 'filters' such as bollards to stop drivers using certain roads as a shortcut.

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Oxford's first LTN, covering the areas of Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Park, is set to be introduced in the coming weeks.

Walton Street has been closed at its junction with Beaumont Street since mid-2019 after the road was initially shut for repairs.

Following feedback from residents, the council implemented a trial closure to prevent drivers using the route as a shortcut, improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians and boost air quality.

On July 16, Ms Constance deferred a decision on whether the closure would become permanent or removed.

But the latest report recommends ending the experimental order and 'returning the road layout and signage to its original configuration'.