LOCALS have praised a new traffic calming scheme launched to help decrease the city’s air pollution and promote people to live a more active lifestyle.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods were introduced to Church Cowley, Temple Cowley, and Florence Park in March by Oxfordshire County Council as a trial.

While some residents have said the new scheme has caused more congestion and consequently more money spent on fuel, other people have been reaping the rewards.

Read here: Aquarium shop owners say Low Traffic Neighbourhood will 'tear the community apart'

A number of residents from Cowley have said that the new LTN has prompted them to walk or bike shorter journeys that previously they would have made by car.

Brian Fahy, who lives in Church Cowley, said the LTN helped ‘change’ his family’s mindset ‘around how they get to school’ each day.

He said: “It has prompted discussions about how we impact the earth, as well as how cycling is a health benefit.

“Thanks to all the walking and cycling up and down Church Hill Road, I lost about 10 pounds in the first month or so and I get my 10,000 steps a day in easily.

“I feel healthier and I am enjoying the walk more and more. We all are. And our carbon footprint is changing for the better.”

Liveable Cowley, a local group that supports the LTN, believes in the coming months even more people will stop using cars for small journeys.

An increasing number of locals have said that the Cowley LTN has prompted them to walk or bike short journeys that they would previously have done by car - cutting congestion and air pollution in the city.

Read also: Duchess of Cornwall visits the oldest children's hospice in the world in Oxford

Florence Park mum, Martha Crocket, said: "My kids now cycle to school as a result of the LTNs and I cycle rather than drive to Black Bird Leys leisure centre.

“All the roads to Littlemore felt unsafe with the kids in a trailer so I used to take the car – but now there is a safe route."

The LTN trial in the Cowley area will last until November, however, if the council could decide to extend the scheme for a further 12 months before deciding whether to make it permanent.

Nor Greenhalgh, who lives in Temple Cowley and is a member of Liveable Cowley, said: “By motivating people to use active travel, LTNs can help cut pollution, create quieter and safer streets, and make space on Oxford’s congested roads for those who need to drive.”

At the end of this month the council are set to decide whether another LTN trial scheme will be introduced to East Oxford.

This would see traffic filters placed in Divinity Road, St Mary's and St Clements.