A major Oxford thoroughfare has reopened approximately 12 months after vehicles were barred from accessing it for urgent structural work on residential properties.
The affected section, Walton Street, which provides a connection between the Worcester Street junction and Jericho, became inaccessible in the previous year’s July because of worries regarding building maintenance requirements, including a property belonging to Oxford University.
Business owners operating along the street at that period voiced their worries about the restrictions.
Nevertheless, the maintenance schedule experienced delays and the thoroughfare remained shut until recently.
One local trader noted the lengthy process had finally concluded with the street’s reopening.
Signs indicating the closure and alternative routes were positioned on both ends of the section where scaffolding had enveloped the terraced properties spanning numbers 146 to 149 Walton Street for the entire year.
At least one building serves as accommodation for Oxford University postgraduate students, and upon initial closure, visible damage to bricks was apparent close to the rooftop.
The university’s estates division has now contacted local residents and enterprises confirming sufficient advancement allowed for the thoroughfare to resume normal use.
Paul Rhymes, who leads heritage and building maintenance, mentioned that occupants had previously been informed the restrictions might persist until October.
He explained that after examining the construction timeline, the team discovered possibilities to restructure activities and considerably lessen the scaffolding requirements.
This permitted the thoroughfare to resume access considerably ahead of original expectations. He expressed hope this signifies the conclusion of significant inconvenience for local residents.
He noted that while vehicle access has been restored, building restoration continues on site.
The chimneys, rooftop frameworks and coverings have now been fully reinstated. Although small-scale external work around the roof area persists, efforts have now shifted towards interior improvements.
This marks neither the first nor the second occasion Walton Street has faced traffic restrictions. Barriers were erected at the Beaumont Street junction during the summer of 2019 for preliminary highway improvements and utility infrastructure, before the county council maintained these as a trial arrangement.
These barriers sparked heated debate within the neighbourhood well ahead of any discussions about congestion pricing. Following pressure from certain traders, the barriers were taken away in May 2021.
The street features various retail establishments, drinking venues and commercial ventures, among them Riverman Records, where Andy Tucker has catered to record enthusiasts since 2019.
A newer addition includes Bad Girl Books, offering romantasy literature, a genre blending elements of fantasy and romantic narratives.
The shop attracted considerable queues upon its opening earlier this month.
Established by Starlin Marot in September 2025, Bad Girl Books originated as temporary market events intended to unite the online romantasy readership through independent publications, collector’s editions and related items.