A community group fighting against controversial traffic measures in Oxford has raised more than £10,000 in three weeks.
The group, called Reconnecting Oxford, believe Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and other traffic schemes in the city, including bus gates, are “undemocratic” and “discriminatory”.
Reconnecting Oxford’s team is thus aiming to raise £30,000 through GoFundMe to mount a legal challenge against Oxfordshire County Council and its decisions relating to these measures.
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We've launched a legal fundraiser to challenge the decision to make the Cowley LTNs permanent though the courts. We've had an excellent first 24 hours, but need to raise a lot more money. Please donate what you can, and share the link widely. Thank you. https://t.co/yi3whAYveB
— Reconnecting Oxford (@ReconnectingOx) August 28, 2022
Richard Parnham, an activist for Reconnecting Oxford, said the decision to pursue legal action was brought forth because members feel “the council doesn’t listen to consultations and doesn’t listen to evidence”.
Mr Parnham said: “The view we took is that the only thing they will listen to is the courts, where their evidence will be pulled apart and they will be accountable to their actions.
“The main focus initially is Cowley and overturning the approval of the Cowley LTNs being made permanent. If we have any money left over we will use it for the bus gates and East Oxford.”
The figure of £30,000 has been based on similar cases around the country, and specialist lawyers, which have challenged LTNs in other areas.
Mr Parnham, and the group, hope the council will overturn the decision before it gets to court, resulting in the removal of the LTNs in Cowley.
Oxfordshire County Council stated it has not yet received a legal challenge regarding the LTNs and so cannot comment on that currently.
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File image of an LTN in Oxford
A Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson said: “The consultation for the experimental east Oxford LTNs is still open and we encourage people to share their views and any concerns with us by visiting letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/east-oxford-ltns-2022”
“LTNs are trialled in residential roads that are inappropriately used as through-routes.
“East Oxford and Cowley had multiple through-routes, a high number of families with children travelling to school and high levels of air pollution due to the proximity to the eastern bypass.
“LTNs being trialled in these areas, therefore, have the greatest potential to benefit households by giving them the choice of quiet, safe and convenient local walking and cycling routes.
“We are continuing to monitor the LTNs in east Oxford and Cowley for traffic flows and air quality. You can read the reports on the Oxford City Council webpage: Air quality annual status reports | Air quality annual status reports | Oxford City Council.
“We will be sharing more details on how traffic flow and air quality is monitored on Oxfordshire County Council’s website later next month.”
You can find further details about the GoFundMe here:.gofundme.com/f/help-end-road-closures-in-oxford
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Read more from this author
This story was written by Sophie Perry. She joined the team in 2021 as a digital reporter.
You can get in touch with her by emailing: sophie.perry@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @itssophieperry
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