This councils calls on the leader to write to Oxfordshire County council and the transport minister to remove Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and cancel planned traffic filters.

 LTNs have been introduced as part of schemes to reduce congestion and encourage active travel. They have failed to meet their stated objectives.

Congestion has increased and cycling remains a hazardous mode of transport.[1]

Pollution has reduced in the streets where LTNs have been introduced, however the opposite has occurred on roads that are now heavily congested.[2]

The intention of congestion free bus travel has failed to materialise and Oxford’s bus companies have expressed their disappointment at East Oxford LTNs being approved.[3]

Divisive transport policies are pitting people and communities against each other on class, social economic and racial lines in a way similar to the Tory Poll Tax, which was eventually scrapped. The most vulnerable in society have also been ignored with no amendments for the elderly[4] or residents with disabilities.[5]

As democratically elected representatives it is our duty to find answers and develop and support polices that work and are fair. Imposing unpopular and seemingly failing strategies will not achieve behavioural change in encouraging active travel.

Residential neighbourhoods such as Littlemore have been left feeling isolated and cut off.[6]

80% of businesses and 60% of consultation respondents oppose the introduction of East Oxford LTNs.[7]

Independent businesses are part of the life blood of what makes East Oxford the vibrant, diverse place it is.

Cowley Road business owners have been vocally opposed to the LTNs.[8]

To reverse years of neglect of Oxford’s transport infrastructure requires real investment from central government. In the meantime, this council agrees to propose to the County Council that they:

·       Prioritise bringing in School Streets for all Private schools in the city.

·       Ensure NHS staff and school teachers are excluded from any work place levy across the city.

·       Lobby central government for major investment in infrastructure with safe clear segregated routes for pedestrians and cyclists and roads for motor vehicles.

·       Scrap plans for divisive traffic filters - which are not evidence based.

Cllr Gant left the meeting having declared an interest on this item.

Councillor Ajaz Rehman, seconded by Councillor Shaista Aziz, proposed the motion as set out in the briefing notes.

Cllrs R Smith, Nala-Hartley and Dunne left the meeting.

Councillor Sandy Douglas proposed an amendment to the motion and was seconded by Councillor Anna Railton. Council debated the amended motion. Following debate and on being put to the vote, the proposed amendment was agreed.

On being put to the vote, the amended motion was agreed:

Amend transport policies including traffic filters and strengthen citizens’ trust in democracy

This Council calls on the Leader to write to Oxfordshire County Council Council to seek amendments to the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and planned traffic filters trials.

LTNs have been introduced as part of schemes to reduce road danger and encourage active travel.

Congestion has increased in some areas and cycling safety needs further improvement.

Whilst pollution has reduced in the streets where LTNs have been 
introduced, however the opposite has occurred on some roads that are 
now more heavily congested.

Oxford’s bus companies have expressed their disappointment 
at the impact of the premature and badly co-ordinated implementation of the East Oxford LTNs. 

Following poor consultation and communication by the County Council,
they have squandered good will towards measures which can reduce traffic congestion and improve bus punctuality.

Despite extensive representations to the County Council by local councillors who know their wards well, the most vulnerable in society have been ignored with no amendments agreed for elderly people or residents with disabilities.

As democratically elected representatives, it is our duty to find answers and develop and support polices that work and are fair. Residential neighbourhoods such as Littlemore have been left feeling isolated and cut off.

60% of consultation respondents opposed the introduction of East Oxford LTNs. Independent businesses are part of the life blood of what makes East Oxford the vibrant, diverse place it is. Some Cowley Road business owners have been vocally opposed to the LTNs.

To reverse years of neglect of Oxford’s transport infrastructure 
requires real investment from central government. This Council agrees to propose to the County Council that they: 

·       Prioritise bringing in School Streets where appropriate in the city and work with private schools to reduce their impact on congestion.

·       Lobby central government for major investment in public transport and infrastructure, with safe clear segregated routes and safer junctions for pedestrians and cyclists. 

·       Work with the NHS and schools to understand the impact of the WPL upon them and ensure key workers have safe, convenient travel options.

·       Where LTN ANPR is in use and there is clear and sustained local demand, grant exemptions to blue badge holders and carers, and re-open these roads for local traffic outside school travel hours either by turning off cameras or using permits for local residents.

Commit to public and independent evaluation of the traffic filter trials against agreed success criteria before any decision to make them permanent, so that they only remain if supported by the evidence.