A new report has suggested divisive transport measures in Oxford have contributed to a reduction in air pollution despite some people continuing to maintain they increase congestion.
The Annual Air Quality Status Report published by Oxford City Council reviews the level of pollutants in the city in light of the "30 measures that the city and its partners have committed to deliver in the city’s current Air Quality Action Plan".
It states the boundary roads next to LTNs (Low Traffic Neighbourhoods) - which have sometimes been said to have traffic piled on to them due to the residential road cut-throughs - have actually had reductions in air pollution.
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Roads with LTN bollards or cameras have also been marked as having a decrease in air pollution.
LTNs were introduced in Oxford in May 2022 with the aim of making streets safer but have since proved controversial and been blamed for increasing congestion.
City Labour councillor Anna Railton, who is cabinet member for Zero Carbon Oxford and also deputy council leader, said: "This report states the air quality has improved everywhere across the city, including on LTN boundary roads.
"Improved air quality for tens of thousands of people should be celebrated - it means fewer hospital admissions and fewer health problems for our residents.
"Stating LTNs have increased pollution in Oxford is misinformation and should not be repeated."
Examples of the boundary roads referenced include St Clement's - which has had a decrease in NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide) levels by 14 per cent - and Holloway Road, where there was a reduction by 12 per cent.
It is not clear what exactly has contributed to this decrease as active travel measures and a move towards electric vehicles are among the other factors at play.
Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) councillor David Henwood said: "Lower emissions have come at a cost, the LTN scheme has increased congestion in other parts of the city that go unmonitored and unrecorded.
"Unfortunately, poor connectivity within Oxford has increased congestion and seen many businesses and livelihoods collapse or move to different parts of the county increasing journey time."
Mr Henwood went on to reference a report from 2022 which suggested congestion had previously increased on some boundary roads and referred to the picture in these areas as "mixed".
This report had said monitoring on the Cowley Road crossing with James Street area showed the highest increase in NO2 levels at the sites that were used to monitor the impacts of LTNs, with a rise in 35 per pent.
Meanwhile, Green St Mary's ward councillor Emily Kerr said: "In general the air quality report is good news and I’m pleased to see most locations continuing to improve due to initiatives like ZEZ, LTNs, and the ongoing switch to EVs.
"I remain concerned about the serious impact of wood-burning stoves."
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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
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