The owner of a stationery shop in Oxford is feeling “depressed” and “upset” after low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) were a "main cause" in his business going under.

Nay Aung, the owner of Honest Stationery on 151 Cowley Road, has had his shop re-possessed and he blames the LTNs for causing the demise of his business after over six years of running the shop with his sister.

The county council introduced LTNs with the aim of these reducing pollution and through traffic, but they have been controversial with business owners in East Oxford.

Oxford Mail: Honest Stationery on Cowley RoadHonest Stationery on Cowley Road

Not too far from Mr Aung’s shop, the owner of YogaVenue Caroline Gozzi recently told the Oxford Mail that she was forced to close her business on Avenue Lane due to “LTNs destroying trade”.

Mr Aung said: “The LTNs stopped customers coming into my shop.

“The county council never came to speak to me about their impact and they don’t really care.”

Oxford Mail: Inside Honest Stationery on Cowley Road before it closedInside Honest Stationery on Cowley Road before it closed

The main customer base for Mr Aung’s shop are businesses which need stationery for their offices, and he said LTNs were making it more difficult for deliveries to take place.

Oxford Mail: LTNs in East OxfordLTNs in East Oxford (Image: Ed Nix)

He said that since LTNs were introduced he had lost at least 80 per cent of his revenue.

Mr Aung said he now feels “depressed” and “upset” because he has fears about bills which still need to be paid.

He said: “It is very scary as I cannot afford business rates and mortgages which need to be paid off.”

The LTNs were first introduced in Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Parks in February 2021, and were later installed in Divinity Road, St Clement’s and St Mary’s in East Oxford.

A county council spokesman said: “LTNs are part of the county council’s local transport and connectivity plan, designed to improve travel and transport.

"They are intended to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling, and cycling.

"As part of the central Oxfordshire travel plan, they are designed to work together with other measures to reduce congestion and improve air quality.

“The LTNs already in Oxford will continue to be monitored by the council. The east Oxford LTNs area is still in a trial period, and subject to a county cabinet decision later this year.

"Although the online consultation on the east Oxford LTNs has now closed we encourage people to continue sharing their feedback with us.

"This feedback will contribute to the reporting that will be presented to cabinet for decision.

“We currently have no plans to introduce any more LTNs areas in Oxford but we continue to monitor the overall situation."