Motion to remove East Oxford and Cowley LTNs to be discussed

Liam Walker’s motion to rip out the controversial traffic calming measures will be discussed at Oxfordshire County Council’s full council meeting next Tuesday (November 7).

Speaking to the Oxford Mail, the Conservative councillor said this was the “last opportunity for those elected across Oxfordshire to make their positions clear” on the LTNs.

Councillor Andrew Gant, who is responsible for transport, said Mr Walker "offers no alternative vision for transport in Oxfordshire."

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LTNs, which use bollards or ANPR cameras to stop motorists using certain roads, were approved in Cowley in 2021 and in East Oxford earlier this month.

Liam Walker’s motion will be discussed at Oxfordshire County Council’s full council meeting next Tuesday (Image: Liam Walker)

Those who support them claim they reduce traffic and air pollution.

But their introduction has been controversial, as business owners claim they reduce footfall and bus companies said they make journey times slower.

A consultation on the East Oxford LTNs earlier this year had an overwhelmingly negative response.

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Mr Walker said: “We are putting this forward because we as a Conservative group are fed up with the coalition essentially ignoring people that have expressed their opinions on LTNs.

“They’re incredibly divisive and there’s arguments for both sides. Particularly in East Oxford, data shows they are not working.

“The consultation showed a lack of support, and the bus companies don’t want them.

“This is the last opportunity for councillors across Oxfordshire to make their positions clear.”

The East Oxford LTNs were voted through by a Liberal Democrat and Green cabinet.

Mr Walker said Labour’s vote on the LTNs would be crucial after the party quit the Fair Deal Alliance which ran the council last month.

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“To get the motion through, Labour will need to support it,” he said.

“I know there are Labour councillors who have privately spoken about LTNs but said something else in public. This is an opportunity to come off the fence.”

Labour leader Liz Brighouse said the party would consider the motion at a future group meeting.

Andrew Gant said Mr Walker offers no alternative vision for transport in Oxfordshire. (Image: Ed Nix)

Mr Gant, a  Lib Dem councillor, said the original bid for LTNs had come while the Tories controlled the council.

He said: "Councillor Walker is actually asking council to spend money undoing a decision which he himself took.

"He put the LTNs in, now he wants to take them out again. He would remove the huge benefits they have brought to residents in those areas.

"He either doesn't understand or ignores the synergies with other policies.

"Does he want to open other residential areas to through traffic, including elsewhere in Oxford and in his own division?

"Above all, he offers no alternative vision for transport in Oxfordshire. This is a party out of ideas and out of time."

Oxfordshire County Council has been contacted for a comment.