An incumbent MP candidate seeking to retain her Oxford East seat in the general election has been tight-lipped when asked for her thoughts on contentious traffic measures in the city.

All 12 candidates standing for the constituency were contacted on traffic measures amid some fears from business owners that LTNs (low traffic neighbourhoods) could "kill off retail". 

While some candidates shared their thoughts on the subject, Labour's Anneliese Dodds did not comment when approached.

East Oxford LTN. (Image: Ed Nix.)

LTNs (low traffic neighbourhoods) were introduced in east Oxford in May 2022 with the aim of making streets safer but have since proved controversial and blamed for increasing congestion.

Other traffic measures being implemented by Oxfordshire County Council include the Zero Emission Zone and upcoming traffic filters trial which will see six roads closed to private cars without permits.

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The affected areas will fall within central and east Oxford and are St Cross Road, Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street, St Clement’s Street, Marston Ferry Road, Marston and Hollow Way.

It comes as Botley Road has been closed near the train station since April last year as part of Network Rail's £161m upgrade of facilities.

This closure is expected to be in place until October before six new traffic filters will be installed across the city on a six-month trial basis.

Ahead of the general election on July 4 we asked all the candidates standing for the Oxford East seat for their thoughts on these traffic measures which have divided opinion among residents and businesses. 

Commenting on LTNs specifically, Green candidate, Sushila Dhall said "air quality, noise, and public space has improved" for people living in LTNs but "people cannot be bullied or frightened out of driving".

Sushila Dhall.Sushila Dhall. (Image: Contribution.)

She added: "The proposal to create traffic filters, which the Greens support, has been met with a divided response.

"Some welcome it as a way to address traffic congestion and air pollution and some fear their lives will become unviable if they can only drive into and out of, and not through, Oxford.

"As Greens we believe that people cannot be bullied or frightened out of driving if that is what they have always done.

"Public transport needs to be a real alternative, as do streets safe enough for people of all ages and abilities to walk, cycle and scoot along.

"We also need to address air pollution urgently as it has led to deaths in some cases - for this reason we support the installation of the ZEZs."

The Conservative candidate, Louise Brown, has suggested she is squarely against LTNs.

Louise Brown.Louise Brown. (Image: Contribution.)
Ms Brown said: "Let’s be very clear, the conversations I have had with businesses, headteachers and residents and published evidence supports the argument that there are no benefits to the LTNs.

"Headteachers in east Oxford have expressed serious concerns to me about staff recruitment and retention.

"There are no health benefits to moving cars from one road to another, the infrastructure required to make a scheme like this effective is simply not there."

Oxfordshire County Council says it wants "public transport, walking and cycling to be genuine options for getting around".

A spokesman added: "LTNs are intended to make residential streets safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling, and cycling. They are designed to work with other measures to make travel easier in Oxford.

“We continue to monitor the LTNs and evaluate their impact and we will continue to work closely with residents, businesses and other organisations while developing projects in line with the aims set out in our local transport and connectivity plan.”

Ms Dodds' lack of response comes as a staff member at the SuperDry in Westgate told us: "As far as I am concerned these measures will destroy business in Oxford."

Cowley Road restaurateur Clinton Pugh added: "I’m going to end up going bust.”

Clinton Pugh.Clinton Pugh. (Image: Ed Nix.)

Brandon French, candidate for the Workers Revolutionary Party, claimed none of what he heard about the scheme "had been positive".

He added: "They have made moving around the area more difficult, increased congestion and are impacting on public services.

"I think the council needs to listen to the views of local people, which clearly they haven't."

David Henwood, Independent Oxford Alliance candidate said: "Once the bus gates and expanded ZEZ is in place the troubled Botley Road will be the only access to the city centre by private car.

David Henwood.David Henwood.

"This will be a perfect storm, and will probably be responsible for many business closures, which would take an hour to get to Oxford when Westfield is just 50 minutes away.

"One accident on the Botley Road or yet another road work will literally bring Oxford to its knees."

Meanwhile, Rejoin EU candidate Andrew Smith had said he is "broadly supportive of LTNs due to their environmental, health and social benefits".

Andrew Smith.Andrew Smith. (Image: Contribution.)

He added: "However, to be successful they need to be combined with appropriate improvements to infrastructure and public transport and allow for limited vehicle use where there are no suitable alternatives.

"The existing LTN in Oxford is far from perfect and I would like to engage with the community to agree what changes are necessary, whilst accepting that the broad principle is positive."

Former city councillor Jabu Nala-Hartley and Independent Oxford East MP candidate said: "What has happened (due to traffic measures) is that the pollution has just been made worse in some places.

Jabu Nala-Hartley.Jabu Nala-Hartley. (Image: Contribution.)

"I understand working people need transport and often sadly the convenient is the car, so we must make it easier for traffic to leave rather than more difficult.

"I would like to see local people consulted on solutions and indeed come up with them in a series of local forums."

Independent candidate Amir Steve Ali added: "This is getting very serious now.

Amir Steve Ali.Amir Steve Ali. (Image: Ed Nix.)

"Traffic Filters, LTNs, ZEZ etc. can be stopped or removed with the right approach, which I have planned if am elected as an Independent MP for Oxford East.

"I promise to everyone if I win the general election I won't be having a party to celebrate but the following day I will start taking actions against these unfair traffic measures.

"I won't waste time it will be straight to actions the following day.

"Many people know what am capable of doing as a member of the public and if I become a MP I will get onto next level matters of public interest."

The full list of candidates for the Oxford East seat are: Sushila Dhall - Green Party; Anneliese Dodds - Labour and Co-operative Party; Brandon Luke French - Workers Revolutionary Party; David Henwood - Independent Oxford Alliance; Theo Jupp - Liberal Democrat; Katherine Mary Longthorp - Party of Women ; Zaid Marham - Workers Party; Jabu Nala-Hartley - Independent; Louise Brown - The Conservative Party; Amir Steve Ali - Independent; Benjamin Adams - Social Democratic Party and Rejoin EU candidate Andrew Smith.

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About the author

Noor is the Local Democracy Reporter for Oxfordshire who covers political stories from across the county. 

She began working as a journalist in Oxford in September 2023 having graduated from the University of Oxford.

Noor was trained at the News Associates journalism school and can be found on X through the handle @NoorJQurashi