Cllr Linda Smith addressed Cabinet about the impact of the Cowley Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme which had increased vehicle traffic on Hollow Way and Oxford Rd and led to more frequent congestion and poorer air quality. This  was a matter of great concern to  residents of Lye Valley Ward  who, because of the congestion, now faced great difficulty in going about their daily business, examples of which had been shared with Cabinet Members. These included the case of an elderly resident able to taste car  fumes in their home and a 4 year old feeling “sick and dirty” as a result of poor air quality on the walk to school. Residents of Lye Valley were angry not to have been consulted about the Cowley LTN, particularly as it had always been evident that traffic would be displaced into their neighbourhood and were now suffering from the negative  consequences of the scheme with none of its benefits. She hoped the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members  would press the County Council to ensure that Lye Valley residents were properly consulted about future LTNs and that the consequences of the Cowley LTN (particularly congestion and air quality) were properly monitored and understood by the highways authority.

Cllr Andrew Gant addressed Cabinet about  Low Traffic Neighbourhood schemes more generally. He believed that LTNs should, properly, be part of a vision for the City as a whole, seen as part of the solution to that vision and as part of an overarching plan which takes full account of all the consequences, benefits and disbenefits for all sectors, demographics and communities. This would require deep, wide ranging and meaningful consultation with all those affected, whether positively or negatively. Decisions must be based on evidence. He noted the absence of reliable evidence that traffic increases on major and arterial roads were attributable to LTNs at a time when the City is emerging from lockdown.  Strong cross-party political support for reducing car use in the City was evident at the last election. He urged the Cabinet to  support the principle of LTNs and to work with other relevant stakeholders to achieve that end.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford gave a detailed  verbal response to Cllrs Smith and Gant in which the following points were made among others. 

The County Council had, as recently as that week, committed to more targeted consultation using a digital platform, better member engagement, an integrated transport strategy, and the introduction of any LTNs (if decided upon) in Autumn.

He and the Leader would continue to press the County Council as the transport authority to provide all residents with opportunities to contribute to all consultations and enable consultations to be inclusive and accessible to residents who do not use the Internet.

It was understood from the County Council that traffic monitoring was now underway, and they would  be sharing information once they ha fully analysed the data. They will provide the following metrics for all active travel schemes.

· % change in pedestrians, cyclists, cars

· Vehicle Speed Change

· Perceived Safety

· Air Quality (AQ)

· Changes in Accident Statistics

The City Council was monitoring air quality in the surrounding areas of the Lye Valley, which does not sit within an LTN area, in order to have a better understanding of any traffic impacts arising from the introduction of LTNs.