Protest over East Oxford LTNs held outside County Hall

She was one of around 100 people who turned out to protest the East Oxford Low Traffic Neighbourhoods ahead of a decision on whether the controversial traffic calming measures would be continued.

“I was determined to be here,” said Ms Brown, who claimed that Morrell Avenue, where she lives, had become more congested because of LTNs.

READ MORE: Oxford sheriff says LTN traffic scheme 'isn't working'

Around 100 protesters turned out for the protest on Tuesday morning (Image: Albert Tait)

Maggie Brown said she was determined to attend the meeting at County Hall (Image: Albert Tait)

“I want to look Andrew Gant in the face and tell him there has been no thought for the elderly.

“We can’t get on bikes and scooters.”

Ms Brown got her chance to address Mr Gant, the county’s highways chief, just a couple of hours later as one of around 30 speakers at the meeting.

She ended her speech with a threat to take the council to court if her health got worse, which brought about rapturous applause from many of those gathered in the packed meeting room.

Despite her strong words, the cabinet decided to make the LTNs in East Oxford permanent after more than three hours of discussion.

Andrew Gant, the county’s highways chief, recognised there were still concerns over the LTNs. (Image: Ed Nix)

The LTNs in East Oxford will be made permanent (Image: Ed Nix)

Mr Gant said: “I recognise that there remain concerns.

“As a council we are prioritising measures to reduce bus journey times.

"We have also heard from businesses operating in a complex commercial environment, and residents struggling with difficult personal circumstances.

“However, an increase in dangerous congestion with no plan for change helps no-one.

“As a council, we are committed to offering people meaningful choice in how they travel.

"We are working to preserve essential journeys by car, while also encouraging safe travel for all by walking, scooting, biking and greater use of public transport.

READ MORE: Oxford school says LTNs causing staff to resign

“LTNs are one step towards less reliance on private car journeys.”

Many of this morning’s protestors expected the decision to go this way, but still chanted ‘stop the LTNs’ in full voice and waved banners in resistance.

Clinton Pugh, who owns two restaurants on Cowley Road, said people were fed up with LTNs (Image: Albert Tait)

Jane Buckland, 81, said traffic had worsened on Morrell Avenue since the introduction of LTNs in East Oxford (Image: Albert Tait)

Clinton Pugh, 65, who owns two restaurants in Cowley Road, said: “The county council are about to vote through keeping the LTNs which were installed a year and a half ago…

“The people around the area are being completely blocked in. They’re fed up and have had enough.”

Jane Buckland, 81, who lives in Morrell Avenue, said traffic had worsened since the LTNs were introduced and that she now struggled to get to Abingdon Road where she plays bowls.

“I’m not young enough to go on a bike,” she said. “I’m past my sell by date.”

Paul Williams, 47, a supermarket delivery driver, added: “We’re always late getting to customers doing deliveries.

"That means they get upset and make complaints.”

Paul Williams, a supermarket delivery driver, said vans were often late to reach customers since LTNs were introduced (Image: Albert Tait)