LOCALS have expressed their anger in a public meeting discussing the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTN) scheme this week.

LTNs were introduced by Oxfordshire County Council to Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Park earlier this month as part of a six-month trial, and while some residents happily support the new system, others see it as problematic.

A total of 125 residents attended the Cowley Labour Team meeting on Tuesday evening to discuss the divisive new measures.

Read here: Petition to remove Cowley LTNs gains over 1,000 signatures

Over half of attendees - 57 per cent - stated they were against the scheme at the start of the meeting.

Approximately 72 per cent of the attendees were from Church Cowley and Littlemore.

Throughout the meeting, residents brought up several concerns, including worries over how the consultation period was implemented as well as personal concerns, such as increased journey times to visit elderly relatives.

One resident said: “We felt completely in the dark and in the shadows until it arrived. What is the official route to voice an opinion?”

Mazar Dogar, another local affected by the plans, said: “There is a huge, huge anger towards these LTNs.

“Was it not pertinent to have this implementation when we were out of Covid and the economy was back up an running, with the full number of cars on the road to show the full effect of these LTNs?”

Read here: Locals come out in support of Cowley LTNS as row rages on

And one resident with a disabled child said: “My child has a blue badge, so we can get him into school - what does this now mean for us getting him close and dropping him off near the school?”

The council held a consultation on the LTNs in December of last year, which showed majority support for the plans among the 1,000 who responded.

The LTNs were introduced to create quieter and safer streets for residents, while encouraging them to become more active and environmentally friendly.

It was not all doom and gloom towards LTNs, with some praising the scheme, and showing their willingness to see how effective the trial period would be.

Resident Chris Poad said the LTNs had stopped people taking shortcuts and speeding through Church Cowley to get to Iffley Road, which had made it unsafe for children to walk around.

Read here: Cameras and bollards installed to stop angry motorists driving on pavements

He said: “The LTNs have stopped this - we no longer have cars going through, it’s much quieter, and it’s such a pleasure to walk around the area now."

Ed Stubbs, another resident, echoed his praise.

He said: “I think we need to move towards a more progressive transport policy, and I am all in favour of having it as a trial. But what will we measure at the end of the trial to count it as a success or failure?”

“I would like to know about average speeds, pollution, congestion being measured, rather than people saying 'I like it' or 'I don’t like it'.”

Resident's can visit the council's consultation page by visiting https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/Cowley_ExperimentalLowTraffic/consultationHome