Broad Meadow is to stay until October.

Oxford City Council announced the extension until October 10 on World Car Free Day on Wednesday.

The temporary pedestrian-friendly outdoor space which is dotted with wildflowers, trees and small lawns, was officially opened on 1 July.

It is one of Oxford city centre’s largest outdoor public spaces and helped promote the safe use of the city centre over the summer and support Oxford’s economic recovery.

The extension means that the annual Arts Market will now take place in Broad Meadow on 2 and 3 October with some of the smaller elements of the space being relocated to accommodate it.

It will also allow students beginning to return to the city to visit and give their feedback.

The council now wants to explore other longer-term options for creating better civic spaces on Broad Street and in other parts of the city.

It is encouraging people to respond to a consultation questionnaire on the Citizen Space portal by 29 October.

This can also be accessed by scanning QR codes on seating in Broad Meadow.

The feedback will shape plans to create an outdoor public space on the whole of Broad Street on a permanent basis.

Broad Meadow was designed by landscape architects LDA Design and informed by discussions with technical experts and local stakeholders, as well as local businesses, cycling groups such as Cyclox, and disabled people and representatives of disability groups through the City Council’s Inclusive Transport and Movement Forum.

The Council prioritised local suppliers, recycled materials and is working on re-use plans for the furniture and as much of the infrastructure as possible.

Through the Zero Carbon Oxford partnership, the City Council is working with partners to achieve a zero carbon city by 2040.

Earlier this summer the partnership approved and published a roadmap which outlines the key milestones that the city needs to reach in order to achieve this target.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon, said: “World Car Free Day is an opportunity to enjoy people-friendly streets and what better day is there to also announce the continuation of Broad Meadow?

"The wildflower meadow has given us a vision of what pedestrianisation of Broad Street could look like, and this council is committed to bringing about the pedestrianisation of this street and others.

"As a listening council, we want to hear from the whole of Oxford, so please do share your views.”

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