The rural roads that could become Quiet Lanes
BBCA list of 14 rural areas being considered for new Quiet Lanes has been seen by the BBC.
The proposed routes would be closed to almost all through motor traffic, with some exceptions made for residents and emergency services in an attempt to encourage more people to use the routes for cycling and walking.
As with 20mph zones, parish councils would be able to request a Quiet Lane but final approval rests with Oxfordshire County Council in plans heard last month.
The council says the project will provide "safe access to enjoy the countryside", but critics have suggested it could risk cutting off rural villages.
But Quiet Lanes and similar low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) are controversial with some motorists and local politicians.
Councillor Liam Walker said: "Safety is vital but it's become a get out clause [for the council] to close roads rather than building the foot and cycle paths we need."
"When they close a road, it just pushes congestion and traffic on to other roads.
"It just doesn't make sense to close a crucial link between Witney and Carterton when they're building thousands of new homes there," he added.
Oxfordshire County Council said the list reflects "expressions of interest" and previous conversations about Quiet Lanes, but is not a list of confirmed sites.
Its proposing the new scheme will shut roads to traffic using "physical measures" where there is an alternative or adjacent route available.
But this goes against the Department for Transport (DfT) guidance for Quiet Lanes, which describe routes that can be "shared use by walkers, cyclists, horse riders and motor vehicles".
A spokesperson from the council said that proposed sites would only go ahead where there is a "suitable alternative" for other road users.
They also stressed Quiet Lanes would only be implemented after an "explicit request" from a parish council and that not all requests will be granted.
Some pilot lanes are expected to be in place by the end of this year.
The following roads feature on the initial list of potential Quiet Lanes:
- Blackthorn - Blackthorn Village (Lower Road and Station Road)
- Wendlebury, Chesterton, Weston-on-the-Green - Wendlebury Road
- Kennington - Bagley Wood Road
- Radley - Sugworth Lane
- Curbridge, Lew, Brize Norton - Witney Road
- Hanwell, Bourton - Hanwell Lane (between Hanwell and Great Bourton)
- Stoke Lyne, Caversfield - Road through Bainton
- Towersey - Roads connecting Towersey to B445 and A4129
- Ewelme - Cat Lane / Firebrass Hill
- Lockinge, Wantage - Road through West Lockinge
- Combe - Park Road
- Marston - Elms Drive
- Longcot - Mailings Lane
