THE COUNCIL has been recommended to approve a controversial low traffic scheme.

On Thursday, the leader of Oxfordshire County Council, Liz Leffman, will decide whether to implement a Low Traffic Neighbourhood trial scheme in East Oxford.

The council seeks to implement LTNs in the area to reduce congestion, promote active travel and reduce pollution.

It has now been revealed that the cabinet member has been recommended to approve the LTN scheme.

The report documenting the recommendation explains that the delivery of the East Oxford LTNs in spring 2022 should be approved as it would be in line with the Fair Deal Alliance’s priorities – which include climate action, as well as improving the health and wellbeing of residents.

If approved the scheme would see traffic filters placed on through roads between Iffley Road, Cowley Road, and St Clements.

The report follows a targeted consultation where the Cabinet Member for Highway Management, Tim Bearder, spoke to key stakeholders such as local mosques, schools, and taxi drivers to hear more about their concerns.

Issues raised included concerns about increased congestion when travelling to Friday prayers, displacement of traffic onto arterial roads increasing journey times for taxi driver’s customers, and school staff having to live in other parts of the county due to high house prices in the city, therefore having no other option but to drive in.

The targeted consultation followed a public consultation that took place in June revealed the majority of respondents gave a resounding ‘no’ to the proposed plans - the majority of residents who actually lived in the East Oxford, however, area ‘strongly supported’ the scheme.