Changes are being made to the proposals for traffic filters in Oxford after 5,700 people gave their views in a consultation.

Proposals to introduce six trial traffic filters − which the county council says will reduce traffic, make bus journeys faster and make walking and cycling safer − will be considered by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on 29 November.

If approved, the six number plate recognition cameras will be on St Cross Road, Thames Street, St Clements, Hythe Bridge Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way allowing only permit holders to use busy routes.

In changes to initial proposals, traffic filters on Hollow Way and Marston Ferry Road would initially operate at peak times only from 7am until 9am and from 3pm until 6pm Monday to Saturday. 

In addition residents living in the Shotover Hill area and residential areas immediately adjacent to Barton would now get a 100-day pass per year to drive through the filters.

As part of another change, resident passes of 25 days per person per year would be given to Oxfordshire residents living outside the Oxford permit area, with a maximum of one vehicle per person and two vehicles per household.

And patients receiving frequent hospital treatments and people with temporary mobility problems will be given short-term exemptions to drive through a traffic filter of their choosing.

Any driver going through a filter who is neither exempt nor using a permit would be charged a £70 penalty.

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Buses, coaches, vans, lorries and emergency vehicles would be exempt, as would blue badge holders.

But the council has said the scheme should not start until upgrade works to Oxford station which are expected to close Botley Road for most of 2023 are finished.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “I would like to thank everyone who gave their feedback on the proposals, whether that was by meeting with us during the engagement events, responding to our consultation survey or by writing to us.

"If approved by the council’s cabinet, the traffic filters will be implemented as a trial. This would allow another opportunity for people to share their views based on their experience of living with the filters.”

Cabinet members will also use data on traffic modelling, air quality and equality and climate impact assessments to make their decision, the council said.

Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, has decided not take part in the decision following recent media coverage.

He said: “Quotations attributed to me do not, out of context, properly represent either my own views or Oxfordshire County Council’s plans to tackle congestion and improve travel around the city.”

 

 

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This story was written by Miranda Norris, she joined the team in 2021 and covers news across Oxfordshire as well as news from Witney.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Miranda.Norris@newsquest.co.uk. Or find her on Twitter: @Mirandajnorris

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