Council urged for 'Plan B' to tackle congestion

The managing director of Oxford Bus Company, Luke Marion, said congestion in Oxford was at "emergency levels"

A council has been urged to find a "Plan B" for tackling a city's congestion problem after a traffic filters trial was pushed back.

The managing director of Oxford Bus Company, Luke Marion, said congestion in Oxford was at "emergency levels".

Oxfordshire County Council's Lib Dem administration was set to introduce contentious traffic filters on several major roads in autumn 2024, but they were pushed back for another two years due to the ongoing closure of Botley Road.

The council's newly elected cabinet said it is going to draft new plans to deal with the city's congestion problem.

'More regular' services

The traffic filters would be introduced on Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, St Cross Road, St Clement's Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way, with motorists without a permit facing a £70 fine for driving through.

The plans are part of the county council's drive to create a net-zero travel and transport system by 2040.

Last week, Banbury's Labour MP Sean Woodcock wrote to the council asking whether they would take advantage of powers to bring more bus services under their control, if the government's better buses bill was passed.

Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, said the calls for action were taken "seriously" and that they looked forward "to engaging on proposals soon".

"We need faster, more regular, cheaper bus services, and we need them now," he said.

"The way to do that is to tackle congestion, which will of course also deliver safer, quieter, cleaner streets, and help key workers and businesses delivering vital services on our roads."

Green county and city councillor Emily Kerr said she was "delighted" at the news and called the delays due to the Botley Road closure "exceptionally problematic".

"Everyone agrees we need to speed up the buses," she added.

"But whilst Labour and the Tory Alliance say they want this, they've opposed the policy suggestions which will deliver it, such as traffic filters."

Labour councillor Brad Baines argued that the county council plans "do not answer questions about affordability of bus services or routes going where people need to go".

"These are key barriers which are yet to be addressed or even considered."

In 2023, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) were introduced in East Oxford and Cowley

Councillor David Henwood is part of the Oxfordshire Alliance, which consists of Conservative and Independent councillors.

"The solution is clear: remove the LTNs to unlock Oxford's radial routes, relieve pressure on the main roads, and finally make space for efficient, reliable bus services across the city," he said.