Hundreds join Cowley Road protest over Oxford LTNs

The protest on Manzil Way Gardens was organised by the group Reconnecting Oxford, which opposed three LTNs introduced in Cowley in March.

The LTNs are closed to through-traffic, preventing motorists using residential roads as shortcuts.

Some feel the rewards are quieter and safer streets, opponents say they increase congestion and affect businesses.

Some Cowley residents felt they were not properly consulted and now there is growing concern about LTNs being proposed for the St Clements, St Mary's and Divinity Road areas of East Oxford that all adjoin the Cowley Road.

Posters have been placed in the windows of businesses along Cowley Road who fear the schemes will impact their income.

One organiser said: “Closing down side roads does not reduce traffic it just displaces it onto the main roads which would make cycling much more dangerous on the St Clements roundabout and would increase pollution from backed up cars to a dangerous level.”

Daniel Emlyn-Jones said the Divinity Road Area Residents’ Association (DRARA) welcomed an LTN to stop through traffic and had proposed “sensible” traffic filters at the top of Divinity Road and in Stone Street.

But he said: “Somehow, the only proposal now on the table involves traffic filters half-way down Divinity Road and Southfield Road which will tear the entire neighbourhood in two.”

Dr Anthony Cheke, a resident of St Mary’s, said: “There is a lot of difference between a purpose-built cul-de-sac housing estate, and an LTN superimposed on Victorian terraced street grids. The former will have off-street parking, turning circles and an intentionally designed exit to the general road network.”

He suggested that instead of using obstructions such as bollards camera-monitored ‘car gates’ could allow registered residents’ cars access and visitors’ permits could be bought for certain zones, discouraging unnecessary journeys.

Meanwhile residents in Cowley are divided over their LTN.

Christopher Drewett said it is “causing mayhem!”

“Yesterday it took me one hour to get from Dene Road junction in Hollow Way to Swan traffic lights! All traffic now is channelled onto main road in Hollow Way, and Cowley Road. This is absolutely crazy!”

However, others say it has prompted them to walk or bike short distances that they would previously have done by car - cutting congestion and air pollution.

Katie Cranwell said: “The LTNs have been the kick up the backside we needed to make us realise that we use the car too much for local journeys.”

This week, the new coalition leading the county council said it will not implement any more LTNs without consulting residents.