Broad Street, Oxford

A long history of memories and traditions has made The Broad into something of a chameleon. At its eastern end, the street is the climax of the University precinct from St Mary's up through Radcliffe Square and the Divinity Schools to the Clarendon and Sheldonian. It is the ceremonial heart of the University and the focus of visitor interest in the city. By contrast, the western end of the street is still part of the commercial town, with a long-established row of specialist shops linking to the Covered Market, George Street and Cornmarket. In the middle of The Broad the Colleges are dominant. Trinity and Balliol connect down Turl Street with Exeter, Jesus and Lincoln. Each of these identities combines to create Broad Street and its colourful personality is dependent on the dance between them.

The character and role of The Broad also changes as it connects to the adjoining lanes and streets. Each street needs to be considered in the context of its neighbour.

Although the width of The Broad gives the space a rather grand, discrete appearance, it is an integral part of the street and traffic system of Oxford. The street runs parallel with The High and had become a congested alternative rat-run. The Oxford Transport Strategy interim schemes for the street have been exploring ways of making things better for pedestrians, but have tended to leave the place in a rather temporary and unresolved state. As a rat-run full of traffic the street was a nightmare, but without any cars or people The Broad became lifeless.

In December 2002 the Oxford Preservation Trust assembled a steering group of the main interested parties to provide a vision for the street. The group includes Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council, the University of Oxford and the Colleges fronting onto Broad Street, The Oxford Civic Society, representation of Oxford's business community, English Heritage and CABE. In February 2003 the steering group appointed Kim Wilkie Associates to study Broad Street, consult with the main bodies and interest groups, and produce a succinct vision for the future of The Broad.

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© 2002-6, Oxford Preservation Trust