This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
About Us
We are a grassroots campaign group of Oxfordshire residents, living and working in and around Oxford, who are concerned about the current and imminent traffic restrictions being imposed on the people of our city and the surrounding areas.
Our aims are to raise awareness
of these life-changing issues and to support actions to get these stopped. We believe that these restrictions are in breach of our democratic and constitutional rights.
So what are these imminent travel restrictions?
The trial for the traffic filters was approved by Oxfordshire County Council last year and will be trialled from early 2024.
The traffic filters are essentially road closures on six of Oxford’s main roads that will severely limit your freedom to travel by car across the city.
You will be forced to use the ring road for most commutes in Oxford unless you have an eligible pass. Each household will be eligible for 100 day passes per vehicle per year (up to a maximum of three vehicles per household) and if you live outside of Oxford you will only receive 25 passes. So, 100 day passes equals 2 days a week only!
Without a pass you will face a fine! The council said they have not yet confirmed the cost however it states on their website:
“Any vehicle that goes through the traffic filter and is not exempt, will be charged a penalty of £70.”
These restrictions will be indicated
by signs like this:
For more detailed information on how this will impact your day-to day life go to: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/connecting-
And these travel restrictions do not end here:
Currently the LTNs (low-traffic neighbourhoods) introduced in the Cowley,
Iffley and Littlemore are causing major disruption to people’s lives and businesses. Even more LTNs are planned, as well as more speed limit reductions and removal of residents’ parking.
WORKPLACE
PARKING LEVY
Introduce a Workplace Parking Levy or WPL (effectively a staff car park tax) of £600 per year, per space. For more information click here:
Introduce new CPZ zones, and reducing permit eligibility in existing CPZ zones.
Expand the city’s zero emissions zone, which will massively increase the number of drivers paying the charge – up to £10 per day initially and £20 per day from 2025.
The reduction / removal of several of Oxford’s city centre car parks, and a “review” of car park charges elsewhere.
Why is the council doing this?
Oxfordshire County Council says that these traffic filters will help tackle climate change, reduce air pollution and improve the health and wellbeing of our communities. They aim to reduce unnecessary journeys by private vehicles, make bus journeys quicker and more reliable, and walking and cycling safer and more attractive.
Learn more about the proposals here:
https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/roads-and-transport/connecting-oxfordshire/traffic-filters
This all sounds well-meaning HOWEVER….
How will this affect us as we go about our daily lives?
- Freedom to travel by car as we know it will change indefinitely.
- All car journeys will take longer due to increased congestion on major roads.
- Oxford residents and business owners are speaking out about how these restrictions will and are impacting their daily lives and businesses.
- Businesses have already closed due to the LTNs in Cowley and Iffley and local businesses owners are reporting a drastic drop in trade.
Click on the button to read their stories:
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
PETITION
View & sign our petition to
stop the traffic filters & LTNs that will gridlock & divide Oxford
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
SUPPORTING ACTION
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
LATEST NEWS
WARRINGTON Borough Council has confirmed that the controversial low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) in Westy will be removed.
This follows the conclusion of the trial period, which has been in place since June 2022.
The move to block to traffic on Grange Avenue especially has been highly controversial, causing anger for residents in the area who have seen key roads such as Kingsway more congested than before.
The U-turn is the second in the Central Six scheme, which also saw the council ditch plans to make Hallfields Road in Orford buses only.
Oxford LTN funding withdrawal too late for traders
This is an editorial which featured in the Oxford Times and was written by politics reporter Ed Halford.
Last week, the government announced funding for low traffic neighbourhoods would grind to a halt.
With councils bidding for a £200 million pot of money for walking and cycling schemes, the county council put in a bid for a share of the cash but missed out.
County council leaders confirmed at a briefing yesterday thay the traffic filters trial, approved by the council’s cabinet, will now be delayed. It will not start until after Botley Road has fully reopened to traffic in autumn 2024.
Get in touch with us to find where we are doing yellow boards /out reach this week
EXCLUSIVE Why should Florence bail me out? Florence Pugh's father says he's being forced to sell his three restaurants because LTN traffic-calming scheme is killing off his business - and he doesn't want to borrow cash from his actress daughter.
- Clinton Pugh, 64, has said he is looking to sell his three businesses in Oxford.
- He said an LTN scheme in the university city is having a huge impact on footfall
More than 30,000 motorists a month refusing to pay Clean Air Zone fines. Birmingham City Council also writing off 2,500 CAZ fines a month.
Oxford ZEZ one year on: County has earned £700k from controversial scheme ZEZ signs unveiled outside county hall a year ago.
A scheme which charges most motorists to drive through the city in attempts to reduce emissions has raised almost £700,000 in fines in the year since it was launched.
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
STORIES
“So the council thinks cutting off a whole community from essential services is a good idea. Many disadvantaged or elderly are not able to travel directly to the local shops and essential services. Travelling by car is not just convenient it’s essential!”
Suzanne, Littlemore resident
“The traffic filters on Hythe Bridge Street will be the end of our business. We are still suffering from the effects of the covid lockdowns. I don’t see how dividing the city will help congestion or the environment, it is only pushing these problems to another area.”
Restaurant owner, Central Oxford
“People are not coming, footfall has fallen hugely. It’s drastically affecting my cash flow and whether I will be able to survive. If I go bust I’ve got 54 members of staff who will be gone. I’m 64 years of age and I could go bankrupt. It’s heart breaking and very difficult not to get tearful.”
Clinton Pugh, owner of Café Coco,
Kazbar, Café Tarifa, Cowley Rd, Oxford
“The traffic filters are being bulldozed through at the expense of business, culture and the image of the city. Congestion could be solved by adjusting traffic lights, road layout, and accepting there
is congestion at certain times.”
Jeremy Mogford, owner of Gee’s, Old Bank Hotel, Old Parsonage, Oxford
My eldest child (age 6) is autistic and I rely heavily on family in North Oxford for support. Walking or
cycling our daily 2+ mile round trip is not possible as my child often has severe meltdowns due to his condition. I can’t afford taxis and we would have to walk for 15+ minutes from home just to get the bus. Nor do I have flexible working hours so I can’t manage our daily routine without a car. This is all having an adverse effect on my mental health.
Pip, West Oxford
“According to the Government social isolation is one of our most pressing public health issues. For people living alone their only opportunity to communicate with others is when they go shopping or meet up for a coffee. This is vital to people’s mental and
physical health..”
Oxford resident
OUR CITY OUR CHOICE
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
CONSULTATIONS
Oxford: Cowley LTNs - ANPR Camera Enforcement & Littlemore Road Exemption Amendment
We're asking for your views on the proposal - as part of the ongoing review of the LTN scheme - to amend the current restriction at the traffic filter on Littlemore Road, which is sited 10 metres north of its junction with Compass Close. The amendment proposes to permit local buses, taxis, private hire vehicles, and Universal Service Provider vehicles to proceed through the filter.
The existing LTN scheme was approved to be made permanent in July 2022, and this supports the wider policy of improving road safety, in particular for vulnerable road users including pedestrians and pedal cyclists.
OUR CITY OUR CHOICE
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.
CONTACT US
OUR CITY OUR CHOICE
This website has been created by the Oxford 21 campaign group. All groups on this website are in no way responsible for each other’s content or actions. We do not support violence or vandalism in bringing about a solution.