A COUNCILLOR has resigned from an online community forum amid an ongoing row about newly installed Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

City Councillor Mary Clarkson announced she wanted to be removed from the Headington and Marston Community Forum with ‘immediate effect’ after she claimed that the death of a Cowley resident was being ‘used to make a case against the LTNs’.

Oxfordshire County Council introduced the LTNs to areas of Cowley earlier this month as part of a six-month trial.

Read here: Low Traffic Neighbourhood 'played no part' in man's death, says ambulance service

Last week, residents claimed that the new bollards caused delays to paramedics reaching a dying man who was having a heart attack.

South Central Ambulance Service [SCAS] said the new LTN system did not affect the patient's outcome however, it is investigating to see whether the reason the ambulance crew followed that particular route was due to an error in the mapping software or human error.

On Monday Peter West, chair of the community forum sent a letter on behalf of all forum members to County Councillor Yvonne Constance and City Councillor Tom Hayes calling for them to resign over the matter.

Ms Clarkson has now made clear that the comments made by Mr West did not reflect her viewpoint and stated that he should have asked for member's permission before sending the email.

The councillor said: "I am particularly unhappy that the tragic death of a Cowley resident has been used to make a case against LTNs.

Read also: Planter rammed by 'van' amid protest at LTN measures

"I struggle to imagine the additional distress which the bereaved family are suffering as a result of their loss being publicised in this way when they should be allowed to grieve in peace."

Ms Clarkson also added that she does not support Mr West’s call on Ms Constance and Mr Hayes to resign from their council roles.

She added: "I want to make it clear that this isn’t about my views on LTNs.

"As it happens, I have not been close to the ones in Cowley and do not know enough to have a well-informed opinion on them.

“I do however agree with my councillor colleagues that it is important to monitor them closely throughout the experiment."