Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones has written a letter explaining why he believes ANPR cameras will work better than bollards to enforce his local Low Traffic Neighbourhood.

As a Divinity Road resident in favour of control of traffic by ANPR cameras in my area, I have been accused of undermining the goal of many of my neighbours to have bollards dividing my neighbourhood permanently.

I do think that one of the hallmarks of civilisation should be the ability to disagree robustly with one another, while maintaining respect and friendship.

READ MORE: Pubs in Oxford drinkers have loved and lost 

With great respect and friendship, I therefore disagree with DRARA (Divinity Road Area Residents' Association) secretary Cindy Carlson (letter 29/6/23).

The county council and the emergency services have said that bollards slow emergency services.

This conclusion is hardly surprising since the driver of an emergency vehicle has to get out, unlock the bollard, drive through, and relock the bollard behind them.

And of course, emergency vehicles may have no choice but to access our area if someone falls ill or there is crime.

I regularly hear the litany that taxis would speed up and down our road if allowed to.

Oxford Mail:

Taxis are not driving around for their own amusement or to annoy people. They perform an invaluable service in our city, for example taking elderly people to and from hospital, and are trying to earn a living like everyone else.

READ MORE: Cases from Oxford Magistrates' Court 

As a resident of Upper Divinity Road, I adore my neighbourhood at the moment. It is quiet and lovely.

But there are people in Lower Divinity Road who are greatly disadvantaged by the bollards, and have simply been fobbed off. ‘No man is an island’, and we have to look at the bigger picture and find better, more nuanced solutions which accommodate as many people as possible, especially the emergency services upon which we rely.

Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones

Oxford

Help support trusted local news 

Sign up for a digital subscription now: oxfordmail.co.uk/subscribe 

As a digital subscriber you will get: 

  • Unlimited access to the Oxford Mail website 
  • Advert-light access 
  • Reader rewards 
  • Full access to our app 

About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

You can also read his weekly Traffic and Transport newsletter.