Oxford, UK, was one of the first to announce a scheme where car owners will be fined for driving outside of their local area. The first low traffic neighbourhoods (“LTNs”) were introduced in Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Park areas in March 2021. These LTNs are collectively known as the east Oxford LTNs.
Despite receiving a backlash to their unpopular plans, the council is pressing forward.
“Work starts today (26 February) on Oxford streets to prepare for six traffic filters as part of a trial approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet in November 2022,” Oxfordshire County Council announced.
To stop prohibited vehicles driving without a permit, the traffic filters or “bus gates” will be monitored by automatic number plate recognition (“ANPR”) cameras. “Residents in Oxford and some areas just outside the city will be able to apply for a permit allowing them to drive through the traffic filters on up to 100 days per year,” the council said.
Despite an overwhelming objection to the measures, in February 2022, Tim Bearder, the then-cabinet member for highways, recommended making the LTNs permanent. However, Bearder delayed deciding to make them permanent because “it wouldn’t be right for one individual to make a decision in that context” and said it was “appropriate” for its cabinet to make a decision instead.
After the conclusion of a consultation held in May 2022, the council stated that “a decision on whether to make the trial scheme permanent or remove it will be made by the county council’s cabinet in late 2023.”
The council’s overarching plan with the LTNs is to divide Oxford into six districts with strict rules on how often motorists can drive outside their neighbourhood.
In October 2022, The Sunday Times summed up Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed plans: “Oxford’s 150,000 residents will be allowed to use their cars as much as they like within their district and will be given free permits allowing them to drive to other districts on 100 days a year. If they exceed this limit, they will be fined, possibly £70 a journey or a day.”
Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for travel and development strategy, insisted the controversial 15-minute neighbourhood plan would go ahead “whether people liked it or not.”
Further reading:
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The LTN “trial” comprised motor vehicles and motorbikes restricted access by road bollards and planters. These physical barriers were placed in the Divinity Road, St Clement’s and St Mary’s areas of east Oxford, a road in each of the LTN areas. According to the council’s website, “If the east Oxford LTNs remain in place and the use of automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras is approved, the cameras will enforce restrictions that are currently enforced using planters and bollards.” It continues:
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