Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council have revealed a package of planning and transport modifications.

The newest set of alterations encompasses fresh licensing rules for houses in multiple occupation, road closures, traffic regulation orders, and restrictions tied to events.

Additional licensing scheme for properties in Oxford

Oxford City Council has declared the whole city area subject to an additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation.

The scheme received approval under the Housing Act 2004 and is scheduled to take effect on June 25, 2026.

It will operate until June 25, 2031, unless cancelled before then.

The new regulations affect all houses in multiple occupation throughout the city, including dwellings occupied by three or four individuals and self-contained flats that satisfy the house in multiple occupation definition.

Properties covered include both wholly and mainly tenanted Section 257 buildings, including those where a resident landlord resides.

Every property meeting the criteria requires a licence, and operating without one constitutes a criminal offence carrying unlimited fines or civil penalties.

A rent repayment order may also be applied in certain circumstances.

Short-term road closures for infrastructure work

Oxfordshire County Council has confirmed several temporary road closures.

In Oxford’s centre, King Street will be shut from March 30 until April 17 to allow for electrical overlay excavation work.

Emergency vehicles and properties that can only be reached through the closed segment will retain access.

In Fritwell, East Street will close from April 1 to April 9 to facilitate fibre cabling installation.

A signed detour route will operate, though access for emergency vehicles and those needing essential access will be preserved.

Wendlebury is also experiencing a closure connected to the Bicester Catalyst Project.

The northern stretch of Wendlebury Road and a portion of Charles Shouler Way will remain closed until May 1, with a diversionary route available.

The closure enables electrical cable laying for the development.

Traffic restrictions for event

Temporary traffic management orders are active to accommodate the approaching Cereals Arable Trade Show, set for June 10-11 at Diddly Squat Farm in Chadlington.

Hosted by Cereals Fruit Focus UK Ltd, the event anticipates between 10,000 and 14,000 visitors daily.

Various restrictions will apply from May 26 through June 11, encompassing road closures, access limitations, parking and loading prohibitions, and temporary reductions to speed limits.

More information is accessible through Oxfordshire County Council.

Parking and waiting regulations

Starting April 1, fresh parking and loading restrictions will be introduced across Oxford, covering Headington Central, East Oxford and other significant areas.

Modifications involve the enlargement of certain permit holder bays, transformation of shared-use zones into double yellow lines, and alterations to waiting periods.

Dedicated spaces for disabled parking and motorcycles-only have been established at specific sites.

Additional permit and payment-by-parking-meter bays have been added in Abingdon, catering to residents, visitors, and short-term parking needs.

Signs marking existing permit zones have been refreshed to outline eligibility criteria, though the fundamental provisions remain unchanged.

Bus stop clearways in Kidlington

To accommodate new residential development in Kidlington, bus stop clearways will be introduced on both sides of Bicester Road.

The measure aims to enhance public transport reliability and passenger safety.

Road safety improvements near Oxford Business Park

The council has proposed extending the current 30mph speed restriction on Langford Lane in Kidlington westward to a point 50 metres east of its junction with the southbound carriageway of the A44 Woodstock Road.

This follows the neighbouring ‘Oxford Business Park’ development.

Reduced speed limits for safety and site access

At Water Eaton, the speed limit along Bicester Road between its on-slip and off-slip to the A34 has been temporarily reduced from 40mph to 30mph.

This follows an emergency notice and is expected to stay in force until September 2027 while illegal waste is cleared from adjacent land.

A comparable temporary reduction to 30mph is active on the B4015 at Chiselhampton, from Marylands Farm to the west of the farm entrance, during utility works anticipated to last 12 days.

Speed limit orders take effect

From March 27, a new 40mph limit has been implemented on Oaksmere in Appleton, superseding the former 60mph national speed limit.

Additionally, a continuous 50mph limit has been introduced along the A420 between Tubney Wood and Parklands Manor, harmonising restrictions between Fyfield and Cumnor.

More details appear on the council’s ‘Let’s Talk’ consultation platform.

To stay informed about all the latest public notices, please visit: https://publicnoticeportal.uk/