Eco madness as Net Zero risks forcing Christmas markets to close

Nicole Rahimi, who has organised the event for the past 14 years, said Oxfordshire County Council had made it “impossible” for her to accept the conditions to run it again.

Fears have been raised by Rahimi over a high speed collision that could take place between cyclists and pedestrians as thousands of visitors will be unaware of the major cycle lane through the city.

The market usually opens during the first week of December where traders sell food, drinks and Christmas decorations.

“They are prioritising cycling and their net-zero ambitions over the 60 businesses which come each year," Rahimi told the Oxford Mail.

“I cannot accept the county council’s conditions so it will not go ahead at the moment.”

Last year, Rahimi - who is a cyclist herself - said the county council agreed to put in place a diversion route which encouraged cyclists to avoid the major cycle lane on Broad Street, Oxford.

She added that she believes most cyclists would be happy for the lane to be closed for three weeks.

“I’m looking out for the safety of both cyclists and pedestrians," she said.

“I understand that closing the cycle lane can be a nuisance, but we have to think about the businesses which will lose out.”

The organiser said that if the council agreed to a road closure then cyclists would still be able to pass through before 10am and it would not be in place for 24 hours.

Rahimi also explained that more space needs to be allocated to the market as she said it will be a “struggle” to fit all the stores within the two spaces allocated on Broad Street.

She said the city council had been “very supportive” of the market going ahead but the county council had “sided with the cyclists”.

Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Marc Evans said: “We are working hard with Ms Rahimi and other local stakeholders to alleviate any concerns about this year’s Christmas Market and discussions are ongoing.

"However, the conditions regarding the cycle lane were in place before Ms Rahimi submitted her bid to host the event and there are no plans to alter them.

“The east-west cycle path through Broad Street is a key route and is important to maintain. Thousands of cyclists use it every day. Although an alternative route was provided last year during the Christmas Market, that option is not available this year.

"This was made clear to Ms Rahimi at the time. We are looking at things we can do to improve safety, such as reducing the width of the entrance to the cycle path to reduce bike speeds.

“Similar events have taken place in Broad Street with the cycle route in place, and these have not led to any reports of accidents."