Councillor Gareth Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport at Oxfordshire County Council said: “The traffic filter trial is the next step in helping us tackle congestion that has blighted the city for decades. I’m keen to understand the impacts of the trial scheme and see the feedback from residents, organisations and businesses. Your views and experiences will help us shape our future plans for improving travel and transport in and around Oxford.”

The consultation seeks residents’, businesses’, visitors’ and organisations’ feedback on their experience of the traffic filter trial, whether they have changed how they travel, and if they’d like to see any changes to the scheme. The survey can be completed online and paper copies are available from County Hall and Oxfordshire libraries.

The traffic filters trial replaced Oxford’s temporary congestion charge on Monday 28 September. It operates in a similar way to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place. The key difference is that car drivers are no longer able to pay the £5 congestion charge to go through the traffic filters.

About the traffic filter trial

• The traffic filter trial was approved by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet in November 2022, but implementation was delayed because of the closure of Botley Road, due to Network Rail’s improvements to Oxford Rail Station.
• At each traffic filter site, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras monitor and enforce the restrictions. There are no physical barriers. Cars without a valid permit driving through the filters will receive a fine of £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 21 days).
• During the first six months of the traffic filter trial, the council will send a warning notice the first time any car goes through a traffic filter without using a permit, instead of sending a penalty charge notice.
• The scheme only applies to cars. All other vehicles are exempt. For those where car use is essential, there are 20 different types of permits e.g. for carers and community health and care workers, making travel around the city easier for these groups.

The locations and operating times of the traffic filters are the same as the temporary congestion charge:

- Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way - Monday to Saturday - At peak times between 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm

- Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s Street and Thames Street - Monday to Sunday - 7am to 7pm

For more information, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/trafficfilters

Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

A consultation on private, for-profit schemes is being run jointly by Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council, Oxford City Council, South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and West Oxfordshire District Council and runs from 12 May - 14 June 2026.

People can read the consultation documents and complete the questionnaire through the online consultation portal Let’s Talk Oxfordshire.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “Oxfordshire has huge potential to play a significant role in the move towards cleaner, more secure energy. But it is also important that our communities have a voice in how the benefits of that transition are shaped and shared.

“This consultation is about listening early. We want as many people as possible to tell us what a fair and practical approach should look like.”

Across Oxfordshire, more renewable energy and battery storage projects are expected to come forward over the coming years as part of the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system.

Oxfordshire’s councils want to make sure that where communities host large-scale low-carbon energy infrastructure – such as ground mount solar, batteries or wind – there is a clearer, fairer and more consistent way to discuss long-term local benefits.

The proposed interim policy does not determine how much renewable energy is built in Oxfordshire. Planning decisions are made entirely on their own merits by local planning authorities and the government.

The proposed interim policy is attempting to ensure that where projects are approved, communities have an opportunity to get a fair share of negotiated benefits. The policy will provide a shared framework for how councils, communities and developers can discuss voluntary community benefits and shared ownership separately from planning decisions.

Community benefit contributions are payments or other forms of support offered by developers to communities hosting low-carbon energy infrastructure to secure local value from hosting. These contributions can support local priorities such as community facilities, nature recovery, energy efficiency, skills, fuel poverty reduction, or other projects identified by communities.

Community shared ownership is where communities may have the opportunity to take a financial stake in a renewable energy project, allowing more of the value created by clean energy infrastructure to be retained locally.

The consultation is open to everyone, including residents, parish and town councils, community organisations, energy developers, landowners, local businesses, investors, infrastructure providers and other interested stakeholders.

Feedback received through the consultation will be used to inform the final version of the interim policy before it is considered by each council throughout the summer.

Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

People living in, working in and visiting Abingdon are invited to share their feedback on proposals to make walking, wheeling and cycling safer and easier along the town’s East St Helen Street, in a survey open until 28 October.

Oxfordshire County Council has drafted the proposals working with local groups including UK active travel charity Sustrans. The proposals will create safer routes for walking, wheeling and cycling across the area, including facilitating two-way cycling along East St Helen Street.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “As well as providing essential safety improvements for people traveling around Abingdon, this work would connect a missing link in a major national cycle route between the Thames Valley and Wales.

“We need to reduce the number of cars on the road in Oxfordshire, and projects like this one enable healthier, more connected, and more accessible journeys. We want walking, cycling and public transport to work for more people, becoming a natural first choice.

“I encourage people to take a look at our plans and share their thoughts to help us finalise a design that works for residents.”

The plan includes improved cycling facilities on East St Helen Street and new pedestrian crossing facilities on the High Street, Bridge Street and Stert Street.

The scheme proposes:

• Two parallel cycle and pedestrian zebra crossings for the National Cycle Network 5 (NCN5) route between Abbey Close and East St Helen Street. ​
• Provision for contraflow cycling allowing travel in both directions for cyclists on East St Helen Street.
• Two zebra crossings on High Street and Bridge Street.
• Raised tables to prioritise safer walking, wheeling and cycling at the junction between East St Helen Street and Lombard Street.
• Continuous footway providing step-free crossing for pedestrians and slow-turning vehicles.
• New crossings on East St Helen Street and West St Helen Street.
• Planting and cycle parking where possible.

The location has been identified as a priority in the Abingdon Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP).

A survey is available on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire for people to share their feedback on the plan. The survey closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 October 2025.

There will be two drop-in events to view the information and chat to project officers, at Abingdon Guildhall on 11 October from 10am to 3pm and 14 October from 4pm to 7pm.

A report summarising the proposal and feedback from the survey will be presented to the county council’s cabinet member for Transport on whether to proceed at a meeting later this year. If approved, construction of the improvements would start in spring 2026. 

Notes

• The survey is available at: oxfordshire.gov.uk/eaststhelenstreet. 
  Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email to ncn5-cycleroute@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Abingdon East St Helen St’ written in the top left corner.
• The drop-in events are open to everyone, with no need to book. Information materials shared at the events will also be published online, on Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The events will be held on:
  • Saturday 11 October 2025 from 10am - 3pm in the Old Magistrates’ Court Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD;
  • and on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 4pm - 7pm  in the Roysse Room, Guildhall, Abbey Close, Abingdon OX14 3JD.
• The scheme is funded by a UK Government active travel grant of £1,473,679.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire residents, employees, businesses and visitors can view and comment on a draft local cycling and walking infrastructure plan for Eynsham and surrounding villages, incorporating ideas from public feedback.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council invited people to share their thoughts on issues with the existing walking and cycling provision in Eynsham and the surrounding area, and suggestions for how this could be improved. A draft plan, setting out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years, is now available for comment until 27 October.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We know the importance, and the value of more active daily journeys for wellbeing. We also know how crucial it is that we make the conditions right to allow people the opportunity to make more active travel choices, if they can.

“In June, we asked people to let us know where their day-to-day trips could be improved by making some changes like a wider pavement, a level pathway or a better crossing point.

“These changes, however small, can join up a really effective travel network that we can all benefit from and enjoy, and help more people feel the benefit of daily activity. We are pleased to share the plan resulting from that feedback and look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.”

The plan focuses on positive changes for the village’s walking and cycling network over the next ten years, improving accessibility within Eynsham and connections with the surrounding area. This includes Begbroke, Botley, Cassington, Church Hanborough, Farmoor, Freeland, Long Hanborough, South Leigh, Stanton Harcourt, Swinford and Yarnton.

It also includes plans to link with the planned developments for Salt Cross Garden Village and West Eynsham. A survey is available on the council’s Let’s talk Oxfordshire platform until 27 October 2025.

Ends

Notes to editors

• Paper copies of the survey can be requested by email placeplanningnorth@oxfordshire.gov.uk or by calling the county council’s customer services team. Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Eynsham LCWIP’ written in the top left corner.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) are designed to:
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term;
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies; and
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

A temporary congestion charge for cars at six locations in Oxford will begin later this autumn.

The decision was made by the county council’s cabinet at a meeting today (Wednesday, 10 September).

The scheme aims to reduce traffic in the short term while Botley Road remains closed, preventing the start of the traffic filter trial. It is designed to improve bus services and make it easier for those with permits, including carers, traders and blue badge holders, to travel by car into and around Oxford.

A six-week consultation took place on the proposals from 23 June to 3 August, which received over 7,000 responses. Feedback from the consultation helped shape the final proposals presented to cabinet.

Cllr Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxford needs a more sustainable, reliable and inclusive transport system for everyone. People have told us they want quicker journeys, more reliable bus services, and safer cycling and walking. In order to achieve that we need to reduce the number of cars on our roads. That is what the temporary congestion charge is set to achieve.”

“I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the recent consultation and previous consultations on the traffic filters scheme on which the temporary congestion charge is based. All of the comments have been considered by officers and helped inform the final proposals. We will continue to listen to people’s views and report on how the temporary scheme performs.”

A daily charge of £5 will allow cars without a permit to go through six charge locations on roads in Oxford. This will apply from late autumn when it is expected the scheme will launch. The council aims to have the scheme in place by 10 November.

Permits will be available for certain groups, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders. 

Following the public consultation in the summer, two new permit types were added to the scheme, allowing free travel for regular users of Oxford Ice Rink and for pool cars owned and operated by businesses or organisations in the Oxford permit area.

Details of the permit application system will be available on our website soon.

Cabinet members asked council officers to review how income generated by the temporary congestion charge should be used, to have the greatest possible impact. This could include other benefits instead of, or as well as, free Park and Ride fares.

More information about the scheme is available on our website.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Residents are now able to share their views on Oxfordshire County Council’s proposals for more school streets initiatives, improving walking, wheeling and cycling experiences to some schools in Banbury, Carterton and Didcot. A survey about the proposals is open online at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-school-streets until 13 October.

School streets is a popular programme in Oxfordshire, with nine schools so far implementing the temporary road closures around schools for most motor vehicles, during the school’s start and finish times. This creates safer, more welcoming spaces for children and encourages active travel to school, reducing congestion and improving air quality for local residents.

The council is asking for views about school streets proposals for the following schools:

• Banbury – Harriers Banbury Academy
• Carterton – Edith Moorhouse Primary School and St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
• Didcot – Willowcroft Community Primary School and St Birinus Boys School
• Oxford – extending the existing school street for Sandhills Community Primary School in Headington to include Delbush Avenue.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Transport said: “I am exceptionally proud of the success of our school streets programme and the great feedback we get from the schools benefitting from a school street. It’s an example of positive action to create a better environment for our children and young people.

“The benefits of an active journey to school are well known, helping set children up for a day of learning and boosting wellbeing. School streets bring extra safety and enjoyment to the final stretch of the school run.

“I look forward to hearing people’s thoughts on the proposals as this will help to shape the final plans so that they work best for everyone.” 

The county already has nine school streets – in Abingdon, Didcot, Headington, east Oxford, and south Oxford, with Larkrise Primary School in Oxford now benefitting from a 21 per cent reduction in car use for pupil travel to school.

School streets are enforced by automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. Residents on the designated school street, and some other vehicles, are still able to drive through it during times of operation – including emergency vehicles, public service vehicles and blue badge holders.

School streets are developed in collaboration with schools. They contribute to a school’s travel plan, which could also include initiatives such as Bikeability cycling training, and park and stride (where parents and carers who need to drive for that trip can walk into the school street from a designated parking site close by).

Residents can request a paper copy of the survey if required by calling our customer services team who will ask a member of the school streets team to contact you) or emailing us. Residents can also share their views by email.

Notes to editors

• Frequently asked questions about our Oxfordshire school streets proposal
• The school streets programme is part of the council’s countywide Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP). The travel to school policy (Policy number 11, page 53) was approved at the council's cabinet meeting on 21 June 2022. It contributes to its vision to make walking, cycling, public and shared transport the natural first choice for journeys. It supports the 2030 LTCP target of replacing or removing one out of every four current car trips in Oxfordshire. 
• School streets are also a part of the council’s sustainable school travel strategy for promoting sustainable travel to and from school and college across Oxfordshire. This supports its vision to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people by enabling active and sustainable travel to school and college on a safe, ecofriendly Oxfordshire transport system. The sustainable school travel strategy was approved at the council's cabinet meeting on the 17 September 2024.
• More about the school streets initiative on our website:  About School Streets | Oxfordshire County Council 
   

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council, which runs the seven sites, is consulting on potential changes to two policies – on waste acceptance, and the van and trailer permit scheme – through a survey hosted on Let’s talk Oxfordshire until 11 August.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Environment and Climate Action, said: “We want to hear from as many people as possible about how and when they visit our HWRCs, what works for them and what could be done differently.

“These views will help shape our strategy for dealing with household waste in future years, so we would urge people to take part in the consultation – whether they use the centres regularly, occasionally, or even if they don’t currently.

“Our residents regularly top the national tables when it comes to recycling, but to maintain this and to contain costs we are always looking at ways of reducing the amount of residual waste that is created.”

One longer term option being explored is setting up shops to sell used items that are brought to the HWRCs. These could be on the sites or in separate locations, and could sell items such as bikes, clothes, furniture and sports equipment.

Reducing the number of HWRCs is not being considered. However, the council is considering the potential for reduced opening hours and closures at some centres on their quietest days.

Views are also being sought on preferences for sorting recyclable waste from non recyclable waste on or off site; whether access to Oxfordshire’s HWRCs should be limited to the county’s residents; and the types of vehicles and trailers that can access the sites to help reduce the amount of waste illegally brought in.

The HWRC booking system, which was approved in November but has yet to come into operation, will not be part of the discussion.

Cllr Roberts added: “The cost of running our HWRCs has increased in recent years, due to extra environmental costs around the disposal of certain materials, new legislation, and a growing population. So doing nothing is not an option.

“We know how important this service is to people, so we want to make sure any changes that are made work for them. Which is why it’s so important for residents, businesses and other organisations to make sure their voices are heard.”

People can also request a paper copy of the survey by emailing waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk or calling the council’s customer services team on 01865 792422. There is a freepost address on the paper survey for people to send their completed forms to.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Residents, businesses and organisations in Oxfordshire can share their views on a proposal for six temporary congestion charge locations for cars in Oxford, in a survey open until 3 August.

Oxfordshire County Council is unable to start its traffic filters trial until Botley Road reopens. In response to this delay, the proposal aims to reduce traffic and improve travel during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road.

The proposed temporary congestion charge is intended to improve bus services and make travel by car easier for those with permits, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and traders. Once Botley Road reopens, the council plans to implement the traffic filters trial and the temporary congestion charge would end.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We believe the proposed temporary congestion charge could have a significant positive impact on people’s travel in and around the city by strengthening local bus services and reducing overall traffic. It’s our response to calls for urgent improvement from bus companies and others.

“I’d like to encourage residents to read through our proposal and tell us about how it might make a difference to them. I’m very keen to understand the impact of the scheme and also to see feedback on some of the details being outlined.”

Under the proposals, starting from autumn 2025, cars without a permit would pay a daily charge of £5 to pass through the six designated charge locations on Oxford roads. Cars with permits or day passes would be exempt from the charge, while all vehicles other than cars would also be able to pass through the locations at all times without being charged.

Traffic signs would clearly mark the locations of the charging cameras to make drivers aware of where the charges apply.

The scheme would make use of the existing infrastructure and back-office systems intended for traffic filters. Any surplus income from the proposed scheme would be used to fund travel improvements like cheaper bus tickets and parking at park and ride sites.

The county council is asking for people to share their views and give feedback on the level of charge, proposed permits, and priorities for improvements that could be funded by the scheme.

Feedback will help shape proposals that will be presented to the council’s cabinet in September, when it will make a decision on whether to introduce the scheme. If approved, the scheme could be in place later this year.

For more information and to provide your feedback, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestionchargeconsultation.

Online question and answer events will be publicised and open to all. Paper copies of the survey are available at Oxfordshire libraries and from County Hall in Oxford.

The proposed scheme aims to:

• reduce traffic
• make bus journeys faster and more reliable
• allow for new and improved bus routes
• make walking and cycling safer
• reduce local air pollution
• improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

More information is available on the council’s website

Permits

The temporary congestion charge would only apply to cars. All other vehicles would not need to pay a charge and would not need a permit.   

Permits would be available for certain groups, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders - exactly the same as for the planned traffic filters trial - allowing them to pass through the charge locations without incurring a charge. 

A new central permit area would be created (zoom in to the purple area within the light blue area on the map). Permits would be available for residents, their visitors and commuters in this central area where car drivers would have no option but to pass through a charge location.

As with the planned traffic filters trial, residents in the wider Oxford permit area would be eligible for 100 day passes each year, while residents in the Oxfordshire permit area for 25 day passes each year, allowing for free travel through the charge locations on residents’ chosen days. Each day pass would allow travel through all six charge locations as many times as you like on that day. 

All permits would be free and valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise.

Without a permit, car drivers could choose an alternative route or pay the daily charge.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Residents and visitors to Carterton are now able to review and comment on a draft plan to improve walking, wheeling and cycling around the town, with a survey open until 18 June.

Earlier this year, Oxfordshire County Council gathered feedback from residents, workers, students and visitors in Carterton to identify improvements to local travel. Their input was used to create the draft local walking and cycling infrastructure plan which sets out proposed improvements for local walking and cycling routes over the next 10 years and is now available for comment.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This plan has been drafted using valuable insights that people have taken the time to share with us and it is now our intention to take those changes forward and make these routes the best we can. I would like people to look carefully at the plan and share their impressions with us including whether the most important walking and cycling routes and improvements have been identified and what we can do to make the plan better.”

The final version of the plan, incorporating amendments reflecting the feedback received, will go through a process at Oxfordshire County Council that will allow it to be formally adopted as council policy. This will support funding bids to improve walking and cycling in Carterton and the surrounding area.

The draft plan is available to view alongside a survey on the council’s Let’s talk Oxfordshire platform. Comments can also be emailed to placeplanningnorth@oxfordshire.gov.uk  or write to Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL¹.

Ends

Notes to editors

• ¹Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Carterton LCWIP’ written in the top left corner.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIP) are designed to
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

People living or travelling in Eynsham are being asked for their views on a draft local cycling and walking infrastructure plan for Eynsham and surrounding villages until 24 June.

The plan will help to identify positive changes for the village’s walking and cycling network, improving accessibility and connections with the surrounding area including: Begbroke, Botley, Cassington, Farmoor, Freeland, Hanborough, South Leigh, Stanton Harcourt, Swinford and Yarnton over the next 10 years.

Paul Fermer, Director of Environment and Highways for Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Walking, wheeling and cycling for journeys as part of daily life can help retain health, increase happiness and enable connection with nature.

“We make numerous short journeys around our neighbourhoods every day to the shop, doing the school run, catching a bus to work, and visiting friends or family in nearby streets or villages.

“We have routes we follow frequently. We might even have shorter routes we avoid because a road or path feels too narrow or is harder to cross. I’d like to hear from people where their trips could be improved by making small changes like a marked cycle route, a wider pavement, a level pathway or a properly accessible crossing point.

“These changes, however small, can connect a travel network that we can all benefit from and enjoy.”

Residents can take part by visiting the council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire, and adding a pin and comment to the online map. People can also email comments to placeplanningnorth@oxfordshire.gov.uk or write to Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL¹.

All responses will be collated and reviewed once the engagement has closed, and a draft plan of improvements will be created and shared for public feedback later this year. A final plan developed from this will then be recommended for formal adoption as council policy and used to help bid for funding to deliver the improvements.

Notes to editor

• ¹Residents who wish to write to the council should address their envelope with Freepost OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL as one line in the middle with ‘Eynsham LCWIP’ written in the top left corner.
• Measures in the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire’s local transport and connectivity plan are designed to make Oxfordshire a better place for everyone.
• Local cycling and walking infrastructure plans (LCWIP) are designed to
  • identify cycling and walking infrastructure improvements for future investment in the short, medium and long term
  • ensure that consideration is given to cycling and walking within local planning and transport policies and strategies
  • make a case for future funding for walking and cycling infrastructure.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

The proposal to create a series of ‘greenways’ – high-quality paths in urban or natural areas prioritised for pedestrians and cyclists – comes from a joint project being developed by Oxfordshire County Council, Oxford City Council and the University of Oxford.

The aim is to create a network of safe, convenient and well-connected cycling and walking routes linking surrounding towns, villages and future economic development sites with Oxford city centre and other key employment, cultural and economic locations.

Councillor Judy Roberts, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Development Strategy, said: “Many people who want to walk or cycle more, for their health, wellbeing or to save money, are often put off by having to share the space with motor vehicles. Some of our towns and villages have no safe options at all, despite their close proximity to Oxford.

“That’s why the Oxford greenways project is so important. I would urge as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so that we can prioritise and design routes where they will make the biggest difference.”

The consultation runs until Tuesday 18 March. To take part, visit Let’s talk Oxfordshire.

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Cycling Champion, said: “In order to encourage more people to walk and cycle into Oxford for work, studying, entertainment or shopping, we need to provide them with safer and more accessible routes.

“This engagement is a chance for pedestrians and cyclists to share their feedback on six proposed greenways. These new routes are designed to promote healthier and safer options as people travel across Oxford and Oxfordshire.

“I encourage everyone interested in cycling to participate – whether you're an experienced cyclist or someone who wants to start cycling.”

A first set of greenways is proposed to connect Oxford with areas including Woodstock, Otmoor, Wootton near Abingdon, Kingston Bagpuize, Kennington, Botley and Wytham.

David Prout, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Planning & Resources) at Oxford University, said: “Safe walking and cycling routes between Oxford and its surrounding towns and villages would be a massive boost for everyone living and working in Oxford. We are very pleased to have been part of this study and hope its recommendations will be implemented.”

The Oxford greenways project began in 2020 but was put on hold due to the pandemic. Feedback from the latest consultation and other engagement events will help inform the development of a delivery plan.

Initial funding is in place for design of the first set of greenways. However, route construction and further design development of the proposed network – which could improve links to around 60 towns and villages – would require successful funding bids and grant allocations.

Greenways schemes will be developed alongside other improvements to cycle routes around the county, including National Cycling Network routes, Oxfordshire’s Strategic Active Travel Network, and area and corridor travel plans within the Local Transport and Connectivity Plan.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Last year, Oxfordshire County Council was named by the government as a responsible authority for driving nature recovery. The council is one of 48 authorities who have been funded by the government to work with local people and organisations to develop a local nature recovery strategy (LNRS).  

Comments are now being sought on Oxfordshire’s draft LNRS as part of a consultation which runs until 26 November 2024. The document, maps and online survey are available at the Let’s Talk Oxfordshire website.

Councillor Dr Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and biodiversity – the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even bacteria – is under threat from pressures including habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and over-exploitation.

“A good quality environment with a range of species is important in its own right, but also offers people a lot of benefits. Healthy rivers give us clean water, high quality soil grows food well, trees and woodlands improve the quality of our air and regulate local temperatures to keep us cool, and wetlands and floodplains can store water that keeps our homes dry.

“This is why the severe loss of biodiversity in the UK is so alarming, because it will negatively impact us all. Oxfordshire is home to a rich and diverse natural environment, with ancient woodlands, chalk grasslands, wetlands and rivers. But it  is not immune to this threat and without positive action, we will see our ecosystems decline and possibly disintegrate.”  

The LNRS aims to address the loss of biodiversity by working with people and organisations across Oxfordshire to agree a written list of the priorities and actions to support biodiversity. It will also map some of the actions that could support biodiversity onto an online map of the county to help people understand where there are particularly important locations to deliver some work to improve or create habitats to support wildlife.  

The government expects partners in the county to focus future funding opportunities towards achieving these key local biodiversity priorities.   

As habitats are improved, restored, created and connected to benefit biodiversity, they also offer a great range of wider benefits that underpin the health and wellbeing of people in Oxfordshire.

By improving the county’s natural habitats, Oxfordshire can expect cleaner air and water, more carbon to be stored, flood impacts to be reduced, and a healthier environment for future generations.  

Cllr Sudbury added: “We want to hear from a wide range of people and organisations across Oxfordshire as these views will help us to refine and improve the LNRS, to ensure that it reflects the local priorities and opportunities for recovering nature’s biodiversity in the county.”  

LNRS project manager Chloe Edwards said: “You don’t have to be a wildlife expert to give your views. We want to hear from everyone to see if you agree that we’ve got the priorities and actions right for Oxfordshire’s habitats and wildlife.

“This will help the LNRS to focus the recommendations on which habitats to improve and create in Oxfordshire to create a shared vision that could make a significant difference towards recovering biodiversity if people and organisations are supported to deliver those habitat actions within the next 10 years. This will have great benefits for Oxfordshire’s future generations. 

“Responses to this consultation will provide the LNRS team with more information to help prepare and publish the final strategy including opportunities, benefits and measures for nature recovery in Oxfordshire.” 

The LNRS is due to be published in spring 2025. The strategy is expected to provide a framework that people and organisations across Oxfordshire can start using to work together and focus future nature recovery work across Oxfordshire. 

The LNRS development process is led by Oxfordshire County Council in partnership with local organisations including the Oxfordshire Local Nature Partnership, the district and city councils, Natural England, the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Wild Oxfordshire, the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, the University of Oxford, Community Action Groups (CAG) Oxfordshire and many more.  

Camilla Burrow, Chief Executive of Wild Oxfordshire urged parish and town councils to take part in the consultation, adding: “Oxfordshire’s draft LNRS highlights the priority species and habitats that may need to be included in Biodiversity Action Plans which parish and town councils are making. District councils and Oxford City Council are expected to include and refer to the LNRS priorities in their Local Plans.” 

Katherine Chesson, Director of Community Action Groups Oxfordshire, said: “Dozens of community groups across Oxfordshire are already working to improve habitats for nature’s recovery by creating new ponds, planting hedgerows and orchards, and making wildflower areas in urban environments. This new LNRS for Oxfordshire will give a framework to guide these groups to create more places where people can connect with nature.” 

Estelle Bailey, Chief Executive of the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, which facilitates groups working to improve wildlife habitats and manages 26 nature reserves in Oxfordshire, said: “People’s comments on the draft LNRS priorities will help us to identify the key opportunities and locations to make more spaces for nature. Linking up and creating more habitats in the countryside beyond our reserves is vital for nature recovery.” 

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates in our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Residents and visitors to Witney are being asked for their feedback and ideas to improve the town’s High Street and Market Square.

Oxfordshire County Council has today (5 September 2023) launched a four week survey to capture people’s views and ideas.

 Proposals are being made to enhance the area and improve walking, wheeling and cycling. This follows the council’s decision, in 2021, to keep traffic restrictions in place. With fewer cars now travelling through the High Street and Market Square, the council wants to hear people’s views about how road space could be used to make the town centre a better place to spend time for shopping or leisure.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “Our vision is for Witney High Street and Market Square to be a healthy, attractive and historically rich environment that complements the character and vibrancy of the market town while enabling better travel choices through improved opportunities for walking, cycling and the use of public transport. 

“The scheme is at an early stage and a design yet to be developed. As such, we are keen to hear from Witney residents and businesses to really shape the plans for the town. We’ll use what we learn to develop a draft design for further consultation in autumn.”

People can take part in an online survey on the county council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on Tuesday 3 October 2023.

The online survey will be supported by two drop-in events for members of the public to find out about the project and speak to the team in person:

• Saturday 9 September 2023 – 10am - 4pm
  Witney Methodist Church, 40 High Street, Witney OX28 6HG
   
• Tuesday 19 September 2023 – 4pm - 8pm
  The Corn Exchange, 19 Market Square, Witney OX28 6AB

A further public consultation on the draft design will take place early next year, with construction expected in autumn 2024. 

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• Supporting  information, the survey and interactive map, as well as details of how to obtain printed copies of the survey or any information in an alternative format can be found at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney-high-street
• Feedback can also be emailed to witneyhighstreet@oxfordshire.gov.uk
• Project webpage: oxfordshire.gov.uk/witney-high-street
• Printed copies of the survey will also be available from the following locations:
  • Witney Library, Welch Way, OX28 6JH
  • Witney Town Hall, Market Square, OX28 6AG
  • Witney Visitor Information centre, 3 Welch Way, Witney OX28 6JH
  • Oxfordshire County Council, County Hall, New Road, OX1 1ND

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council has developed a new all-age unpaid carers strategy directly with people who have real life experiences of being an unpaid carer – a process known as coproduction.

Partners in health, education and social care (HESC), city and district councils and voluntary organisations such as Carers Oxfordshire have also been helping to create the final version of the strategy, which is now being consulted on the council’s Let’s talk Oxfordshire engagement platform.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Unpaid carers are hugely valued, not only by the people they care for but also by the health and social care system.

“By listening to carers we’ve heard they sometimes don’t receive the level of support they need and deserve, and it’s crucial that we hear about their experiences to create a refreshed strategy, allowing them to continue to do their incredible work.”

The overall vision for the framework is that unpaid carers of all ages in Oxfordshire are valued and living their best life, with specific commitments around properly identifying all carers and enabling them to have a fulfilled life away from their caring role.

During the initial design stages, the council heard from 1,600 carers of different ages and faiths and from various locations across Oxfordshire. The results suggested carers felt increasingly isolated after the COVID pandemic and that they were tired and anxious especially in relation to their finances. They also fed back that information and guidance designed to support them was not easy to locate.

In response to the findings, the council has again worked with carers, as well as partners from Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (BOB ICB), Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust (OHFT) and voluntary, community and social enterprises to create the final version of the strategy.

The priorities

Three key priorities have been highlighted:

1. To identify carers and effectively support them, improving their health and wellbeing and providing opportunities for a break from their caring role.
2. To safeguard the most vulnerable carers who need more support to look after themselves, particularly during times of change and transition.
3. To encourage and enable carers to have an active life outside their caring role, including fulfilling their education, employment, and training potential. 

The commitments

To ensure these priorities are met, HESC partners, alongside city and district councils and voluntary organisations, have agreed to work together to deliver a range of commitments. These include:

• Continuing to work with carers to keep the strategy up to date.
• Improved identification and support of unpaid carers by aligning workplans across HESC organisations.
• Ensuring carers can access breaks from their caring role to support their own wellbeing.
• Carers are valued and treated as the experts in their lives and what they need to support their health and wellbeing.

Importantly, these commitments are inclusive of young carers under the age of 19 who may need additional support to look after themselves, particularly during times of change and transition.

Daniel Leveson, Deputy Director of Strategy at BOB ICB, said: "I welcome our unpaid carers strategy. It signals our renewed commitment to carers. It recognises not only their contributions to people’s emotional health and wellbeing but also the valuable roles they play in our health and care system and society as a whole.”

Paula Gardner, Interim Chief Nursing Officer at OUH, said: "This strategy is a welcome support to unpaid carers – they play such a vital role in our homes, communities, and wider society. Finding out what would help them and how measures can be put in place to support them in their role is an important part of taking the next steps.”

Marie Crofts, Chief Nurse at OHFT, said: “Unpaid carers are often parents, family members and friends supporting and caring for the people they love. It is vital that we support them, as they support others, and I welcome this strategy which has been co-produced with carers so they can continue with their lives and futures.”

The consultation is now open at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/carers-strategy

All unpaid carers in Oxfordshire are invited to take part and offer their feedback on the principles and commitments of the strategy.

The consultation will stay open for one month and closes at midnight on Monday 3 July.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Residents and visitors can now enjoy a new welcoming public space in Broad Street in the heart of Oxford thanks to transformation works led by Oxfordshire County Council.

The revamped Broad Street provides a wider pedestrian area with seating and planting, creating an environment where people can meet with friends to socialise or just take a break and enjoy the area between working, sightseeing or shopping.

These changes form part of a county council project that will stay in place until spring 2024, with regular activities and events taking place and seasonal planting keeping it vibrant and attractive.

Over 150 people from a range of groups, organisations and businesses have helped to shape the Broad Street project, with insights, advice and recommendations on designing, planning, building, engineering and installation.

The council is inviting feedback on the project until 24 April 2023 at 11.59pm, which will help inform if the project could be extended or repeated at a future point (subject to funding).

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “So much work has gone into delivering this for everyone living in, working in and visiting the city. I’d like to thank the City Council, businesses, colleges, residents, events and interest groups who have helped us to shape this wonderful space.

“We are extremely proud to now unveil the results of this work for everyone to enjoy. The Broad Street project is part of our commitment to provide green public spaces in urban areas, where people can come together and enjoy a place to meet and relax, attend events, and celebrate our popular city centre.

“We are looking forward to you sharing your experiences of the project and hearing your feedback on it.” 

To improve safety on Broad Street while maintaining essential access, there have been some changes to parking spaces on Broad Street. Some disabled parking bays have moved to nearby Parks Road (outside Wadham College), motorcycle and cycle parking has been relocated to St Giles. Additional cycle parking has been provided on Broad Street. The bus set-down point on Broad Street has moved to Parks Road.

These changes ensure accessibility is maintained for those who need it, while providing a large green space for seating, socialising and events in the heart of the city.

The seating and planters have been made by award-winning Blackbird Leys social enterprise RAW workshop and family business WoodBlocX. Both companies were selected on the strength of their dedication to community support and to climate responsibility.

 You can share your views and experiences of the Broad Street project through an online survey. The survey will be open for at least six months.

Ends

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Notes to editors

• More about the project: Broad Street project | Oxfordshire County Council
• Broad Street project proposal:  Delegated decisions by the cabinet member for highway management
• Other Broad Street project press releases from Oxfordshire County Council:
  • Sustainability and communities come together for Broad Street project 29 September 2022
  • Broad Street to be transformed 22 July 2022

Oxfordshire County Council has started a consultation for the Banbury Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which will set out how to improve the town’s active travel network over the next 10 years.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “Our aim is to prioritise active travel, such as cycling and walking, over road capacity for cars. Projects like this Banbury LCWIP show practical ways that we can help people to reduce their reliance on cars for short journeys, and helps the council tackle climate action, improve air quality and create a healthier Oxfordshire.

“The feedback we receive from the public, from businesses and other organisations will help us shape these proposals. We have already worked with Banbury Town Council and Cherwell District Council and now we want as many people as possible to take part so we can develop a better-connected active travel network.”

People can take part in the consultation, which includes maps of suggested routes within Banbury and connections to neighbouring villages, at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/banbury-lcwip-initial until 20 June.

LCWIPs help councils identify where transport infrastructure – such as cycleways and pedestrian crossings – should be implemented or improved to enable residents to cycle and walk safely and conveniently over the next 10 years. They also increase the chances of securing funds from the government and developers for active travel infrastructure.

If approved, the Banbury plan would be the fourth LCWIP to be developed in Oxfordshire, following on from Oxford, Bicester and Kidlington.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

The new approach was approved by the council’s Cabinet on 15 February. It seeks to put residents at the heart of decision-making to support strong, active and inclusive communities.

Councillor Glynis Phillips, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, said: “The Oxfordshire Fair Deal Alliance wants to lead positive change to make Oxfordshire a greener, fairer and healthier county. 

“We are committed to making decisions more openly and inclusively. It marks the start of a new longer-term approach to consultation and engagement that aims to engage with and listen to residents and other partners in a more inclusive way.

"Our new consultation and engagement strategy outlines this approach, which includes listening to what residents value most, involving them in conversations about the things that affect them, and then using that feedback to help shape or improve services.”

The strategy will shape how the council engages with residents on important issues and potential changes until 2025. It intends to incorporate existing good practice already in place within the council and outside to create opportunities that widen the council’s communications into two-way engagement and conversations.

As well as better engagement and listening to residents, the strategy will help increase input from groups such as young people and the digitally excluded. 

Plans mapped out in the new strategy include developing the council’s new online engagement platform (‘Let's Talk Oxfordshire’), holding four sounding boards* with children and young people and introducing a series of public engagement events called Oxfordshire Conversations, which will offer opportunities for residents to hear from and ask questions of members of the Cabinet.  

* A sounding board is a form of engagement which usually, but not always, provide a deep dive into a topic with group of children and young people. At the end of the sounding board a report is produced, quite often with recommendations co-produced by the group.

Sounding boards can include all or some of the following elements: presentations, question and answer sessions, whole room and roundtable discussions, interactive exercises, video booths, graphic facilitation etc.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet has voted to apply to the government for permission to use cameras to enforce traffic regulations, including stopping in yellow box junctions, illegal turns, and vehicle restrictions, at specific sites.

People who visit, live, and work in Oxfordshire can have their say on the first set of proposed locations as part of a public consultation on the plans.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “These new powers have been delegated by government to allow us to enforce the rules of the road more effectively, making our streets safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“We are selecting a variety of sites in the initial tranche which we will enforce using automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras. This means we can better manage the bus and road network, as well as promoting active traffic and clean air policies. Drivers who continue to stick to the rules will have nothing to worry about. Mopeds and motorists causing mayhem by breaching restrictions  and doing U-turns where it is dangerous will finally face a fine.”

The first proposed locations are:

• The rising bollard site in Oriel Square, Oxford
• The rising bollard site on Cornmarket Street, Oxford
• The rising bollard site on Turl Street, Oxford
• The rising bollard site on Broad Street, Oxford
• The junction of Turl Street and High Street, Oxford
• The banned U-turn at Barton Park on the A40
• The junction of Holywell Street and Longwall Street, Oxford
• New College Lane/Queens Lane, Oxford
• The pedestrianised area of Gloucester Street, Oxford
• Yellow box junctions on the Botley Interchange
• Yellow box junctions on the Hinksey Hill Interchange.

These locations were selected using information provided by Thames Valley Police, plus traffic and congestion monitoring data, and will help ensure the safety of road users and minimise congestion on the network.

People can have their say on the suitability of these proposed sites for camera enforcement by taking part in the consultation at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/tma-2022, which runs until 2 March.

The new regulation laid out by the government this month allows councils to apply for the power to issue fines for these contraventions. It is the first time local authorities outside London and Cardiff have had the opportunity to apply for the powers to issue penalty charge notices for these types of offences, which are currently enforced by the police. The police will retain the power to enforce traffic regulations in addition to the county council’s proposed camera enforcement at the specific sites.

The purpose of the change is to enable councils to manage specific problem areas through ANPR camera enforcement – similar to how the bus gates operate – with the fines being retained by the authority to cover the maintenance and management costs.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet approved the draft Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) last October, which – among its many ambitions – aims to cut car journeys by a quarter by 2030 and reduce them by a third by 2040. It also plans to increase the number of cycling trips from 600,000 to one million by 2031.

Now residents can have their say on the plan until 16 March. People can take part and make their voices heard at https://letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ltcp. Final adoption of the plan is currently scheduled for summer 2022.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “We want to know what it would take for people to make fewer journeys by car. We want to hear from them about the financial implications and what they need in terms of alternative transport arrangements.

“The estimated average cost of owning a car is nearly £500 per month if you are paying for it on credit, or nearly £300 if you only take into account fuel, insurance, tax, maintenance and so on. How much would you spend on alternative ways to get around by bus, train, bike, taxi or on foot? What else would you need to cut the number of cars in your house and cut your monthly bills?

“We know we face considerable challenges as we seek to deliver our aspirations. There will be tough decisions around how we use existing road space, but now is the time for an ambitious and comprehensive plan which the LTCP provides. We believe it will help create a thriving county, tackle inequality, protect our environment and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

“We are really keen for the people of Oxfordshire to engage with us in this process, not just now but throughout the years as it evolves. We know it will take a long time to get to where we want to be, but we have a clear vision of shifting the balance away from single occupancy cars in favour of something more sustainable.”

The LTCP is a wide-ranging document with more than 90 policies, which aim to provide the backbone for the council’s commitment to invest in an inclusive, integrated and sustainable transport network for the county. It looks at ways of reducing the need to travel and discouraging unnecessary individual private vehicle use through making walking, cycling, public and shared transport the natural first choice. Key policy areas include:

• walking and cycling
• road safety
• digital connectivity
• public transport
• environment, carbon and air quality
• network, parking and congestion management
• freight and logistics.

The county council will be hosting a series of online webinars to introduce the LTCP in more detail and answer questions. Detail about how to sign up for these will be provided on the council’s website and social media in the coming weeks. Webinars will be hosted on the dates below for the following audiences:

• Town and parish councils: Monday 24 January 7pm – 8.15pm and Tuesday 1 February 7pm – 8.15pm
• General public: Tuesday 25 January 7pm - 8.15pm and Monday 7 February 7pm - 8.15pm
• Businesses: Wednesday 26 January 8am - 9.15am.

People can book to take part using the link on the consultation page. Residents can also email LTCP5@oxfordshire.gov.uk if they have any further questions or issues.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “Witney is a lovely town and not too big to get around on foot or by bike or mobility scooter, but we know the footpaths and cycle lanes leave a lot to be desired, particularly after a decade of cuts in road budgets. However, we are collecting ideas to make a new strategy to correct the situation.”

The council is creating a plan for Witney and Ducklington, including routes into the surrounding areas, which will outline how walking and cycling can become safer and more accessible, including for those who use mobility scooters, pushchairs, or wheelchairs. The plan will help to reduce congestion, improve personal health, improve air quality and fight climate change, making Witney and Ducklington more pleasant places to live, work and visit.

Input from the local community is vital in identifying where infrastructure improvements can be made, such as more lighting, dropped kerbs, lower speed limits, better crossings, cycle lanes, cycle parking, and benches.

To take part in the consultation visit the Let’s Talk Oxfordshire web page before the closing date of 31 January 2022.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

In March 2021, Oxford City Council was awarded £162,500 to develop an air quality community website to help raise awareness of air pollution across Oxfordshire.

The website - which is being created in partnership between Oxford City, Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse - aims to integrate all relevant air quality related information from all district councils in Oxfordshire under one single site.

Now, residents across Oxfordshire are encouraged to take part in the consultation and share their views on what information they want to see on the future website.

The consultation hosted on Oxford City Council’s consultation portal aims to identify what information residents across the county want to see on the new website to help them find more about air quality.

The information presented on the website will span a wide range of air quality subjects and will be tailored to and for different age groups and levels of expertise. This consultation aims to identify the key issues and best ways to present this information which can at times be complex.

The consultation is asking residents for their thoughts on how they currently engage with air quality related messages, as well as their views on the website including information such as data on current air pollution levels in their area, specific types of air pollutants, and regular news about air quality projects across the county.

 Oxford has been historically subject to poor air quality. It was declared an air quality management area in September 2010 due to high levels of NO₂.

The European Union has set a legal limit for the average limit of toxic nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels in towns and cities of 40µg/m3 or below– however, recent studies seem to indicate that there is no safe limit for NO₂.

Air pollution contributes to an increased chance of developing lung cancer, increased risk of heart disease and increases in asthma, coughs and bronchitis.

It is thought that air pollution is responsible for 64,000 deaths in Britain each year – just 18% less than the 78,000 deaths annually caused by tobacco (European Heart Journal, March 2019).

A January 2020, a study from Centre for Cities also found out that at least one in 17 deaths in Oxford is related to air pollution. 

Health experts have warned that there is no safe level of air pollution.

Councillor Pete Sudbury, Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment, Oxfordshire County Council said: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a huge priority for Oxfordshire County Council. We are now set to implement a series of bold plans to address these, for example by giving people real choices around walking, cycling or using public transport rather than private cars and accelerating the shift to electric vehicles. We are keen to offer residents an easy-to-use source of information on air pollution in their area. We’d like to hear your views about how you’d like to see the data so please offer your comments in this consultation by 5 September.” 

The consultation is open until midnight on 5 September 2021.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, made the decision today during a formal council meeting after considering feedback from the non-statutory consultation held in June.

Councillor Tim Bearder, Cabinet Member for Highways Management, said: “I’d like to thank all those who have taken part in the debate on the east Oxford LTNs both in the consultation and at this session. No-one doubts our collective aim to address climate change and traffic as an administration. But we have to make the transport system you are using work for you. This needs a holistic, planned, comprehensive approach that results in planned change that gives it every chance of success.”

Residents, the emergency services, visitors and local businesses across Oxford were consulted on proposals for the introduction of a trial of LTNs in the Divinity Road, St Mary’s and St Clements areas 8 - 29 June 2021. Over 2,000 responses were submitted.

The consultation found that residents living in the proposed LTN neighbourhoods particularly in the Divinity Road area (62 per cent strongly in favour) show support for the proposals. Meanwhile, residents in both St Mary’s, and St Clement’s were largely supportive (with 42 per cent each strongly in favour). Feedback from businesses and those outside the proposed LTN areas was generally against the proposals. 

The decision means that council officers will now examine the specific issues and concerns raised in the consultation responses and those who made them. The new consultation that follows will be targeted more specifically to those who identified the key concerns to propose a revised scheme that works for the communities involved.

The decision now means that revisions to the proposed LTNs based on the new consultation planned will return for a Cabinet member decision session later this year.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

A new plan aims to enhance the infrastructure, environment and new developments in the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire. It will be developed by government, informed by engagement with local communities and stakeholders, and will have sustainability at its core.

This public consultation is the first of three that will guide a new Spatial Framework over the next two years, and a digital platform has been created that will make it quick and accessible for people who live, work, and have an interest in the area to make their voices heard.

Comments received in the consultation will help create the Spatial Framework’s vision for the area to 2050, and will help guide local planning and investment decisions in four areas; the environment; the economy; connectivity and infrastructure; and place-making. Visit this link.

The consultation is also seeking views on the work the Government has done to set the scope of the Sustainability Appraisal.

The government has additionally today announced a new expert panel to advise on sustainable economic and housing growth in the Arc. The panel will be chaired by leading development and regeneration expert Emma Cariaga and will advise the government on issues ranging from design and sustainability to delivery and investment models.

The panel’s primary area of focus is between Bedford and Cambridge, where the government is examining opportunities to bring forward well-designed, inclusive and sustainable places.

Other members will consist of industry leaders, local representatives and subject area experts from a range of disciplines, who will work with local government and other partners to inform the panel’s advice. The full panel will be confirmed in due course. Further details can be found here.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP, said: “Today is a big step forward for the OxCam Arc as we have launched an innovative digital consultation with the public, including those that live and work in the Arc, so that everyone has a chance to have their say.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for people across the arc to make their voice heard and help create the future for their community that they want to see. Both the Spatial Framework consultation and Expert Advisory Panel will help us to ensure the Oxford-Cambridge Arc to be a great place to live and work – now and in the decades to come."

Transport Minister Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “The East West Rail project plays an important role in enabling connectivity within the OxCam Arc and will help us build back better from COVID-19.

“We’ve committed £760m to the first phase of EWR which will support improved access to jobs and other opportunities in the area as well as boosting economic growth in the region more widely.”

Cllr Barry Wood, Leader of Cherwell District Council and Chair of the Arc leadership groups, said: “The bold economic and sustainability ambitions we have set out for our region need to be matched by well-planned, long-term and coordinated investment into our towns, cities and rural areas. Inclusive growth, with high environmental standards so that all our residents can benefit, remains at the heart of what we seek to achieve.

“By progressing the Arc Spatial Framework, government will look at how and where we need to connect and build new infrastructure, whilst enhancing our environment to deliver the sustainable growth that our region is capable of. To start, we must shape a shared vision for the type of growth we want to see.

“This is why it’s so important for every single resident to be able to have their say directly to government on what matters most to them. How we create opportunities for people to prosper, today and in the future, is an important matter for everyone.”

Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director, Harwell Campus Development and High-Tech Clusters, UKRI-STFC, said: “The Oxford-Cambridge Arc has a unique combination of world-class scientific, technical and knowledge capabilities that can drive forward the economy, improve quality of life and benefit all the residents of the United Kingdom.

“These capabilities are crucial for attracting talent to further science and technology excellence across a number of business sectors and therefore making the UK highly competitive on a global scale. It is important that we do not squander the opportunities thus created, and that means fashioning an environment in the region where people can thrive, be engaged and deliver their best.”

Clare Walton, Chief Executive, Community Action: MK, said: “The success of the Oxford to Cambridge Arc will be measured by the experience of the communities who live there. The key to creating inclusive and sustainable communities will be partnership working and investment in community support.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the government to think differently about how large-scale housing developments can design out inequalities. The Arc offers great potential to innovate and embrace science and technology, but our collective prosperity must be paramount. We must create opportunities for all people regardless of income, gender, race, disability, age, and this requires commitment to social infrastructure. Enabling the Voluntary and Community Sector to thrive in these new communities will help create vibrant sustainable places that people feel invested in and a part of.”

Emma Cariaga, Chair of the Expert Advisory Panel, said: “I am delighted to be chairing the new panel exploring opportunities for sustainable economic and housing growth in the arc. The past eighteen months have highlighted the importance of the quality of the places in which we live, work and enjoy ourselves. So it is great to see those opportunities to bring forward well-planned places that make the most of existing, proposed and emerging infrastructure are being properly considered.

“As a panel, we will explore a range of subjects – including design, finance models and sustainability – that will be vital for these places to get right if they are to serve present and future communities. I look forward to getting started.”

“This regional success will build on the work of the government that has helped millions of people continue to provide for their families as part of its Plan for Jobs to protect, support and create employment.”

The Oxford-Cambridge (OxCam) Arc is the name given to the area identified by government as a key economic priority with the potential to be one of the most prosperous, innovative and sustainable economic areas in the world. It is made up of the five ceremonial counties of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire.

The consultation document just published, Creating a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc, is the first of three planned public consultations on the Spatial Framework. Alongside this, the government has published the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report for consultation.

The Sustainability Appraisal (SA) will inform development of the Spatial Framework and ensure that sustainability is at its heart. The consultation will be supported by a new and innovative digital engagement platform designed to give a voice to the wider community, as well as traditional engagement methods such as workshops.

Feedback from this consultation will help to create the Spatial Framework’s vision for the arc to 2050. Using the vision as a foundation, the next document "Towards a Spatial Framework" is planned to be published for consultation in spring 2022, focussing on options for delivering the Spatial Framework’s objectives based on feedback from engagement, initial evidence gathering and analysis.

The government then hope to publish a draft Spatial Framework for consultation in autumn 2022, with implementation of the final framework shortly after. The public will be consulted with at each of these stages and government will continue to work closely with local stakeholders throughout.

With the right interventions and investment, local economic forecasts suggest that by 2050 we would see economic output in the arc doubling to over £200bn. The arc’s success is key to Britain’s national prosperity, international competitiveness, and ability to meet the challenges and opportunities we will face as a country over the next century, including climate change and supporting nature recovery, technological change, fighting COVID-19 and preventing future pandemics.

The OxCam Arc offers a significant opportunity for the government and partners to work together to support the harmonious delivery of improved connectivity, productivity and place-making, whilst ensuring pioneering environmental standards and enhancements are delivered and the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan is put into action.

Click Sign up to hear from us and receive the latest news and updates thanks to our fortnightly newsletter, Your Oxfordshire.

A recommendation by officers was approved at a meeting on Thursday 29 April, which means that the barrier has kept Walton Street closed since 2019 will be removed and reopened to all vehicles in both directions. The closure in 2019 followed a period of maintenance work on the route.

Other localised traffic management measures implemented to complement the closure of Walton Street will also be removed.

The decision follows the results of a public consultation in March on an alternative Jericho and Walton Manor area traffic scheme aimed at promoting active travel. A total of 815 responses were submitted and the results analysed by an independent external research agency.

When asked about overall feelings about the consultation proposals, a majority (62 per cent) of respondents indicated that they had negative views. Meanwhile 27 per cent of respondents indicated positive opinion on the proposals. When asked about each individual motor vehicle restrictions put forward by the area pilot, there was largely an equal split in opinion.

Proposals are, however, being developed to address both the environment and transport in the wider area that are expected to benefit the neighbourhood. These include improvements to Banbury and Woodstock Road, the proposed expansion of the Oxford Zero Emission Zone in 2022 and traffic reduction with the implementation of Connecting Oxford.

The A4095/B4100 Banbury Road roundabout is one of the key junctions along the western ring road. Oxfordshire County Council is considering three design options to improve the roundabout.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The proposals for the roundabout improvements will offer real improvements for the quality of life of those who live and work in the Bicester area.

“The proposed work means that new housing and areas of employment have the right supporting infrastructure. I welcome residents to visit the online exhibition and to offer their views.”

Councillor Lynn Pratt, Cherwell District Council’s lead member for Economy, Regeneration and Property, said: “A key part of living in a garden town is feeling a part of the community and being offered a say in how it develops. As Bicester grows, it is clear infrastructure improvements are needed, but it’s crucial we offer residents the chance to air their views to make sure the right decisions are made.”

Enhancing access to the transport network and making it easier for people to travel between homes and jobs is critical in accelerating and accommodating future growth in Bicester in a sustainable way. It is also identified as a garden town, setting out strong ambitions for Bicester to support both new and existing residents and communities.

To address the planned developments in Bicester, there are various infrastructure projects planned to be delivered by March 2023 or earlier to support economic and housing growth.

Oxfordshire County Council wants to ensure everyone’s views are taken onboard when deciding which design should be taken forward when the planning application is submitted in late spring this year.

An online public exhibition to share design proposals for the Banbury Road roundabout improvements will be open from Friday 19 March - Friday 9 April.

The exhibition will offer an opportunity to find out more information about the proposals, provide feedback and put questions to the project team by email and phone. The virtual exhibition can be accessed from Friday 19 March by visiting the county council’s website.

Residents who cannot attend the online public exhibition and would like more information can contact the council by emailing Humzah Mir at Humzah.Mir@Oxfordshire.gov.uk or calling 01865 792422.

If Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council’s Cabinets agree to the latest version of the zone at this month’s Cabinet meetings, it will be due to be introduced in August 2021.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a huge priority for Oxfordshire County Council. Not only will the Zero Emission Zone make a difference to the quality of life and health of people living and working in the city centre, we are showing that change is possible as we start to respond seriously with climate action. We can look forward to a city that will be a healthier and cleaner place for all.”

Councillor Tom Hayes, Oxford City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, said: “Now, more than ever, we are alive to the importance of good health and well-being. Everyone has the right to breathe the cleanest air possible and both councils are moving forward with the introduction of Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone this year. Years of extensive consultation with businesses and citizens have got us to this pivotal point, and this plan reflects their views. Years ago, we began to imagine a better Oxford with cleaner air and this Zero Emission Zone is a pragmatic yet visionary route to cleaner air and better health.” 

Oxford will be one of the first places in Britain to introduce a ZEZ.

The city and county councils have held three formal rounds of public consultation since the ZEZ was first proposed in 2015. They held a final round of consultation on the pilot between November and January 2021.

More than 900 people took part and the results show that residents and businesses are broadly in favour of the proposals.

The ZEZ pilot will restrict polluting vehicles from key city centre streets during the day. Those who drive polluting vehicles into the zone will be charged a fee, with the level of the charge dependent on how polluting the vehicle is.

The scheme aims to reduce toxic air pollution levels, help tackle the climate emergency and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors in Oxford and beyond.

The city council’s Cabinet will consider the proposals on 10 March with the county council’s Cabinet making its decision as the highway authority on 16 March.

November 2020 consultation

In 2015, Oxfordshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan set an ambition to start a ZEZ in Oxford from 2020 with the aim of reducing air pollution. Over the subsequent years, the proposals have been developed through extensive public and stakeholder consultation.

The final formal consultation on the ZEZ pilot proposals took place between 20 November 2020 and 17 January 2021, after having been delayed from March 2020 due to the pandemic.

In total, 885 responses were received through an online survey, with a further 34 responses by letter and email. The majority of respondents said they are Oxford residents, with 5 per cent saying they live inside the ZEZ pilot area, 73 per cent living in Oxford but outside the area, and 14 per cent living outside Oxford.

The county council is now asking for the views of residents and roads users in a new online exhibition on the plans opening on 8 March until 29 March.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “The proposals for the new Lodge Hill exit on the northbound A34 and work in the surrounding area will offer real improvements for the quality of life of those who live and work in the Abingdon area.

“The proposed work means that those living or working in central Abingdon can look forward to much reduced congestion and that new housing has the right supporting infrastructure. I welcome residents to visit the online exhibition and to offer their views.”

The aim of the improvements is to increase junction capacity, providing new access and shortening journey times. The work will include new roundabouts to improve traffic flow and reduce local congestion. It will also support new housing development and economic growth in north Abingdon and in the wider area. Traffic calming for nearby local roads is also being proposed to limit the number of vehicles travelling on country roads.

It is expected that the proposals will also reduce congestion in Abingdon and at the Marcham interchange as many vehicles will no longer need to travel through the town centre.

The delivery of appropriate and timely supporting infrastructure is key to supporting sustainable development north of Abingdon and Oxford. Since Oxfordshire County Council secured funding in 2017, it has been working on designs, surveys, stakeholder engagement and land acquisition ahead of a planning application in Spring 2021.

Recognising advice from government on COVID-19 safety, it is not possible to hold a public drop-in exhibition on the plans. Instead, the council is holding an online event to present the proposals and provide an opportunity for residents to ask questions and offer comments.

Members of the project team will be online to answer questions about the scheme using a live chat function. These sessions will be held from 2pm - 3.30pm on Monday 15 March, and 7pm - 8.30pm on Thursday 18 March. Any questions that can’t be answered straight away will be replied to within 24 hours.

People who cannot visit the webpage will still be able to share their thoughts and questions during this time. A printed summary of the exhibition material is available for those with limited access to the web and an email address and phone number have been provided below.

The exhibition will be open from Monday 8 March to Monday 29 March and can be accessed at this website.

For any queries email: lodgehill@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call 01865 792422.

The measures will aim to address through-traffic on residential roads in these areas so that residents can enjoy a quieter neighbourhood and feel safer when they walk, cycle or use mobility scooters. The changes proposed will also offer residents a healthier environment with lower emissions and cleaner air.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “We have listened to what changes local people want to be made. Now we’d like the specific views of residents on how they feel about the proposed measures to make sure we address the needs of the community in Jericho and Walton Manor.

“We encourage all residents, traders and organisations to submit their views in this consultation to conclude a scheme that works for Jericho.”

The active travel measures will mean that streets will be attractive for pedestrians and cycles. Streets will continue to be accessible to residents, traders, the emergency services, visitors and deliveries, but some drivers may need to choose an alternative route for some areas.

The pilot, which would be put into place should the current traffic filter be removed, proposes restricting turning movements for vehicles at two junctions. The measures would be implemented using an experimental traffic regulation order, which would be in place for no more than 18 months. The consultation webpage will be open for six months after any implementation.

The council will consider all residents’, visitors’ and local businesses’ opinions before a scheme is introduced.

The consultation opens on 5 March and closes at 23.59 on 19 March.

Take part in the consultation on the county council’s website.

For paper copies, email activetraveloxfordcity@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call 01865 792422

With the need for climate action, helping create healthy communities and addressing air quality at the heart of council thinking, the new local transport and connectivity plan (LTCP) sets out a vision for Oxfordshire that will contribute to developing a zero-carbon economy for the county and transform the health and wellbeing of residents.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, said: “The future of our transport matters not just because we need to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality; the options we propose in LTCP are aimed at fundamentally improving the quality of our lives. Oxfordshire is a great success story, but its ongoing performance must address how we travel in a way that can reduce congestion, improve our health and help develop active, connected communities. We need and will value your input about how we can best do this, working together, so please take time to review the consultation and offer your views.”

The LTCP vision is the first step in developing a long-term transport and digital connectivity plan for Oxfordshire. The goal of developing a transport vision is to set out the overarching policy direction and ambition for transport and specific schemes in the county.

The vision has been developed following analysis of engagement work with many organisations and through an analysis of transport data and evidence from a survey in March 2020.

This consultation will offer residents a chance to give feedback on the content of the plan.

The areas of focus for the new plan are:

• Commitments to de-carbonise the transport system by 2050
• Reducing the need to travel
• Discouraging unnecessary individual private vehicle use by promoting use of public transport and active travel such as walking and cycling
• A push towards quality digital gigabit and/or full fibre connectivity for all
• Enabling the economy to develop, supporting the Oxfordshire local industrial strategy agreed in July 2019
• Public transport operations and network changes amid the impacts of COVID-19.

By focusing on these areas, the LTCP vision seeks to protect Oxfordshire’s rich and varied natural and historic environment as well as improving resident’s health and wellbeing, social inclusivity and education access. A second consultation due later this year will cover the development of the full LTCP including an updated vision and goals.

Residents can have their say by visiting the county council’s consultation site.

An LTN is an area where through-traffic is prevented to create streets with fewer vehicle movements so that residents can enjoy a quieter neighbourhood and feel safer when they walk, cycle or use wheelchairs.

Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet member for Environment and Transport Cllr Yvonne Constance said: “We have listened to what changes local people want to be made as a result of this year’s pandemic and we are taking action.

“The Cowley area LTN plan has widespread support among councillors of both Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council. Now we’d like the specific views of residents on how they feel about the proposed measures to make sure we address the needs of the community in these areas.

“We are also considering this scheme as well as wider interrelated schemes including the Zero Emission Zone and Connecting Oxford to address congestion and improve air quality.”

An LTN will restrict people from outside the area driving through by the use of traffic filters which can be either planters and/or bollards. All streets will continue to be accessible to residents, the emergency services, visitors and deliveries by car or van, but drivers will need to choose an alternative route for some areas.

Where the restriction occurs on a bus route, access for buses will be maintained, supported by traffic filters in some cases.

The county council is proposing three experimental LTNs within the Cowley area. This means the introduction of traffic filters at specific points across Church Cowley, Temple Cowley and Florence Park.

Government guidelines on COVID-19 emphasise the importance of social distancing. The government has given councils with high levels of bus use emergency funding to encourage walking and cycling as alternative modes of travel. Oxford has high bus use levels; pre-pandemic, there were 40,000 bus trips a day into Oxford city centre. If every bus user who owns a car makes the vehicle their first choice, traffic congestion in Oxford could become severe.

The proposed LTNs also offer real quality of life changes. They offer a safer environment, where cycling and walking conditions are more pleasant and where these forms of travel, combined with fewer vehicle movements, lead to cleaner air and lower emissions for all.

The LTNs will be implemented using an experimental traffic regulation order, which will be in place for a period of six months; the consultation webpage will be open for the whole six months after implementation.

The council is also very interested in residents’, visitors’ and local businesses’ opinions before the schemes are implemented. The council is running this pre-consultation survey to understand people’s expectations and concerns so your views will be carefully examined and included in the ultimate scheme implementation.

This means the LTNs will be implemented on an experimental basis in the six months post implementation before any decision is taken on their longer-term status. The council aims to begin the implementation in February/March 2021.

The feedback survey opens on 23 November and closes at 23.59 on 18 December.

You can learn more about low traffic neighbourhoods and examine some frequently asked questions at:

Take part in the feedback survey:

https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/Cowley_LTN_2020/consultationHome

For more information about this release contact the Oxfordshire County Council and Cherwell District Council communications team on 01865 323870 or email press.office@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council are now asking for views from residents, businesses and visitors on a revised ZEZ pilot proposal after a similar consultation was paused in March 2020 because of the pandemic.

The proposed ZEZ pilot aims to reduce the city’s air pollution levels, tackle the climate emergency and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors to Oxford and beyond.

The need to cut emissions is clear. In January 2020, a study from Centre for Cities found out that at least one in 17 deaths in Oxford is related to air pollution. Oxford City Council’s draft Air Quality Action Plan sets a local target of 30 by 25 – ie 30 µg/m3 across Oxford by 2025. In April 2014, a report issued by Public Health England showed that long term exposure to air pollution in Oxford could be responsible for six per cent of all deaths of people aged 25 and over.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, added: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a great priority for us. Not only will our plans for a city centre Zero Emission Zone make a difference to the quality of life and health of people living and working in the city centre, but we are also showing that it is possible as we start to respond seriously with climate action.

We can look forward to a city that will be a healthier and cleaner place for all, especially now that the county has moved forward on its commitment to accelerate initiatives such as these plans. The changes we propose are based on the feedback we have received and we encourage residents, businesses and visitors to submit feedback on the final plans in the consultation ahead."

Councillor Tom Hayes, Oxford City Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, said: “COVID-19 has forced local government to divert significant focus onto supporting our communities through the toughest time they’ll know. All the while, the city council has kept up our focus on climate breakdown and air pollution, including speeding up Oxford’s Zero Emission Zone.

“I’m thrilled that the implementation of the city centre ZEZ is moving forwards and the scheme’s emissions standards will be the toughest possible. The city has joined together in recent years to develop this ZEZ scheme and we hope for the largest number of responses to our final consultation.”

The ZEZ pilot would be based on a road user charging scheme, which means vehicles used in the zone 7am - 7pm would be subject to charges, depending on their emissions. Only 100 per cent zero emission vehicles could be used in the zone free of charge.

Other vehicles would be subject to the daily charges with the amount depending on the emissions of the vehicle. Discounts are also proposed for certain vehicles or road users during the charging hours (7am – 7pm) including resident and business vehicles within the zone, and for Blue Badge holders.

Under the requirement of the scheme, income raised by the ZEZ may be used to cover implementation and running costs.

The remaining income will be used to help residents and businesses make the transition to zero emission vehicles, and on other schemes that promote zero and low emission transport in the city.

The consultation follows the government’s announcement this week announcing that the sale of petrol and diesel cars will be banned from 2030. Britain is moving closer towards adopting electric vehicles on a wider scale. The ZEZ will go beyond this ambition, with the ZEZ pilot to be introduced in Summer 2021, and on a wider scale in spring 2022.

The councils are now proposing to create a single city centre ZEZ with a single set of requirements, in two steps. Firstly, an area in the heart of the city centre will act as the ZEZ pilot, which will then, secondly, provide learnings for a wider ZEZ to cover the whole city centre in spring 2022, on an accelerated timeline.

The larger ZEZ will be subject to further consultation but its alignment with the pilot zone would allow for clearer emissions criteria and greater support for residents and businesses within the ZEZ area.

The councils have made several changes to the ZEZ proposals after reflecting on the feedback from the January 2020 ZEZ consultation, the experience of COVID-19, the spring lockdown and the feedback from the temporary bus gates survey in the summer. These include:

• Red Zone now explicitly a Zero Emission Zone pilot (ZEZ pilot) for the wider ZEZ, with identical requirements and discounts in both phases – This will allow both councils to develop learnings on implementing the scheme before wider roll out and will allow the wider ZEZ to be accelerated, delivering further air quality benefits more quickly.

• Charges across both the ZEZ pilot and wider city centre ZEZ would be linked to emissions and aligned with national standards – This will help encourage the adoption of low emission and zero emission vehicles, as well as simplifying the requirements for residents and businesses in the ZEZ pilot.

• ZEZ pilot to start Summer 2021 and wider ZEZ to be introduced in Spring 2022.

• Blue badge holder discount extended – This will be extended to include international equivalents.

• Review discount for Blue Badge Holders and disabled tax class vehicles by the end of 2024 - This will consider whether this discount should continue, reduce or stop from 2025 and to address concerns raised about the impact on access for people with disabilities.

• Review zero emission standard for large vans and lorries – This will address concerns about consistency with national guidance and in light of the Ultra-Low Emission Truck (ULET) standard.

• Discounts for certain special vehicle categories – This will address concerns about the availability of alternative options and ensure consistency with national emissions standards including Clean Air Zones and London ULEZ. The ZEZ is part of a wider local transport plan, which aims to improve connectivity, reduce emissions and support sustainable growth across Oxford and Oxfordshire. In 2019, both councils consulted on their Connecting Oxford proposals to tackle congestion and improve public transport connections into and across Oxford.

Responses to this consultation will be reported to the councils’ Cabinets in March 2021 and will inform their decisions about the scheme. 

Anyone can take part in the consultation by visiting Oxfordshire County Council’s website

Further details on the pilot proposals can be found here.

Frequently asked questions on the pilot proposals can be found here.

Notes to editors

The ZEZ pilot covers the area previously known as the ‘Red Zone’ (Bonn Square, Queen Street, Cornmarket, part of Market Street, Ship Street, St Michael’s Street, New Inn Hall Street, and Shoe Lane) and the wider ZEZ covers the previous ‘Green Zone’, which will cover the rest of the city centre.

The above outlines the wider proposed Zero Emission Zone with the pilot zone at the centre.

Other initiatives to cut transport emissions

• Alongside the ZEZ, both councils are introducing supportive measures, to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles amongst residents and businesses both within the ZEZ pilot and across the city. The measures include:
  • Energy Superhub Oxford, which will deliver massive amounts of power for rapid EV charging at key locations around the city, including a public superhub at Redbridge Park & Ride.
  • £128,500 towards testing of low-cost innovative air quality sensors to map air pollution and exposure, £122,500 towards advice for businesses on zero emission delivery and servicing solutions.
  • £500,000 towards electric charging points for hackney carriages and private hire vehicles.
  • £2.3 million towards electric and low emission buses.
• Buses and Oxford licensed Hackney Carriages that drive within the planned ZEZ also have already agreed timelines for zero emissions fleets across Oxford.
• In Oxford city centre, narrow streets, limited road network and the unique historic environment have made finding solutions to the problems of congestion and pollution a high priority. 

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet members have written a response to government to reflect their concerns over future planning policy as set out by in a recent high-profile consultation.

In August 2020, the government published Planning for the Future, a white paper that sets out significant changes to the current planning system in England. It will have a significant impact on planning authorities, including Oxfordshire County Council.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport Infrastructure, said:

“We all recognise that the planning system as it now operates needs to change. However, this white paper raises significant concerns, and in light of that we have robustly challenged some of the proposals.”

The changes relate to making local planning blueprints known as local plans shorter and more visual, with a timescale for preparation of 30 months. The white paper also proposes to abolish S106 and the Community Infrastructure Levy and replace it with an Infrastructure Levy, meaning that the current system used by local authorities to negotiate funding with developers for infrastructure such as roads and schools will change significantly.

While the county council can support some of the proposals, such as making local plans easier for people to read and respond to, the council’s Cabinet has a number of serious concerns about other aspects of the white paper. These include the potential that some may decrease local democratic input into plans as they progress. The County Council is also keen to ensure Government does not forget about what the council’s role is within the development process and ensuring infrastructure is brought forward in a timely way.

Oxfordshire County Council’s letter to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and the council’s detailed response can be found at:

https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/default/files/file/planning-applications/ResponseToPlanningForFutureConsultation.pdf

The consultation closed on 29 October and invited comments from the public, businesses, local authorities, home builders and other bodies that have an interest in the planning system.

The government will analyse the responses over the coming months. Changes to the planning system will become law in due course.

For further information contact 01865 323870 or email Press.Office@Oxfordshire.gov.uk

The bus gates aim to create an environment which is safer for pedestrians and cyclists. This is to be achieved through ensuring quicker, more frequent buses on less congested roads. It will thus allow potentially reallocating road space to create an improved pedestrian and cycling environment.

Under normal conditions, vehicles use the city centre as a cut through. The aim is to reduce the use of city centre as a through-route, thereby cutting traffic levels and congestion within and on the approaches to the centre, to relaunch the local economy and support local businesses.

The two councils have now launched a public survey to help inform the proposals, including a list of frequently asked questions addressing comments that have already been submitted to the councils.

The survey will inform the decisions about the scheme including the location of the bus gates, timings, and how road space can best be reallocated ahead of the proposed installation of the temporary bus gates at the end of September.

Earlier this month the councils announced their intention to install the temporary bus gates as part of a wider response to assist in Oxford’s economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The proposals

A bus gate is a form of access restriction that allows only buses, cyclists, emergency vehicles and other limited exempt users to pass through a particular point at specified times of day.

The new temporary bus gates would be implemented using experimental traffic regulation orders following guidance recently issued to local authorities by the Department for Transport to assist in the delivery of emergency active travel measures and other pandemic recovery schemes.

It is proposed that the two temporary bus gates for the city centre are to be located:

• On Hythe Bridge Street or Worcester Street, between Frideswide Square and Beaumont Street
• On St Cross Road or South Parks Road, between Parks Road and Manor Road

The key points of the proposals are:

• Restricting car traffic cutting through the city to ensure quicker, more reliable, and more frequent buses operating on less congested roads in to the city centre in an effort to reboot the local economy and support local businesses
• Reallocating road space to improve and encourage cycling and walking, including new or wider cycle lanes and closing roads to allow restaurants to place tables and chairs in the street create an outdoor café-culture, and to create safer and more attractive civic spaces which revitalises the city centre economy
• Cyclists, buses, coaches, taxis, private hire vehicles, Blue Badge holders and disabled tax allowance vehicles will be allowed through the bus gates during its hours of operation.
• Limited access through the bus gates for residents within the central area of the city is being considered.
• Exemptions for other users are also being considered.

The bus gates would potentially operate seven days a week between 7.30 am and 6.30pm, aligning to the existing restrictions at the current High Street bus gate.

The bus gates are specifically designed not to prevent access to any areas of the city, including the city centre. Access will be maintained through the bus gates for certain modes of travel and vehicles; other traffic will still be able to get to their destination via alternative routes.

The scheme will be funded by both councils and implemented by Oxfordshire County Council as the transport authority.

More information on the proposals can be found here, including a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

Supporting recovery from the coronavirus pandemic

The bus gates are part of measures that are being introduced by both councils to support recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, consistent with the Government’s national plan to create an environment which is safer for pedestrians and cyclists.

During lockdown Oxford city centre saw a 65% reduction in air pollution levels and increased cycling and walking. However, to sustain this level of activity, reduce traffic dangers, and maximise space for cyclists and pedestrians, significant change to road space is required.

Cars cutting through the city centre makes it less attractive to visitors, local people, and tourists by creating congestion and dirty air. New compelling data shows that polluted air increases coronavirus infections, hospital admissions and deaths.

Oxford’s city centre economy is highly reliant on people arriving by bus - a survey undertaken in Oxford city centre in 2017 confirmed that for shopping, 70% came by Park & Ride or bus on the days surveyed.

The city centre’s reliance on public transport means that the city centre economy is more vulnerable to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic due to people’s reluctance to use public transport.

The bus gates proposals reflect a change in the Government’s guidance on safe travel on 17 July which says: “You can help control coronavirus and travel safely by walking and cycling, if you can. Where this is not possible, use public transport or drive.” The recent change reflects the Government’s intention to promote a return to public transport as part of the recovery from the pandemic and Oxford’s temporary bus gates aim to rebuild confidence in bus travel.

The bus gates aim to decrease the amount of cars using city centre as a through route rather than a destination. Under normal conditions, vehicles use the city centre as a cut through route, with car visitors representing less than 10% of total city centre footfall.Oxford has also limited city centre car parking. Before the pandemic, car parking was already at capacity, particularly at weekends. Under the proposals, visitors wishing the access the city centre using a car, will still be do this, with all the car parks still being accessible from all points.

What happens next?

The councils are encouraging feedback through an online survey. The survey will inform decisions about the scheme, which the councils are aiming to introduce by late September at the earliest.

A time period has not been set for the duration of the bus gates, however Experimental Traffic Regulation Orders have a maximum time limit of 18 months and the bus gates cannot be made permanent without full public consultation.The survey can be accessed on the Oxfordshire County Council website, and is open until August 9 2020 at 23.59.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, Oxfordshire County Council, said:

“The temporary bus gates will form an important part of the recovery of the transport network in Oxford and offer many benefits to residents and visitors. Bus journeys across the city have been slowed by increases in motor traffic over many years along with increasing air pollution.

“Bus gates give us a chance to build back a more sustainable city as we recover; they will help the recovery of the bus operators, reduce congestion where they are located and help offer safer roads for cyclists. Residents have indicated that they want safer streets with less traffic as part of the recovery and this will be one of the steps forward to achieving this goal.”

Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said:

“We all know what it felt like to drive through the city centre before the pandemic—drivers were losing time, bogged down in stop-go traffic. We need to stop Oxford’s roads from getting so congested that it’s quicker for people inside the ring road to abandon the city centre and spend their money elsewhere.

“The city centre needs to be a destination, not a drive-through. It’s people that spend money in local businesses and support local jobs, not cut-through cars.

“Oxford is a medieval city and our councils have limited room to manoeuvre: we can either remove some buildings to make room for more cars or we reduce the number of cars going through the city centre. These temporary bus gates don’t aim to block you from driving into town, they seek to funnel motorists into a set of routes which leave the others free for public transport, cycling and walking.”

A recent national survey suggests getting coronavirus or giving it to their family were among the top reasons that people would not come forward when they have cancer symptoms, along with fears that they could be a burden to the health service.

But NHS staff have worked hard to make sure people can get cancer checks and treatment safely, so there is no need to delay.

Dr Kiren Collison, GP and Clinical Chair of Oxfordshire CCG, said: “We strongly encourage anyone with concerns or worries about their health to contact their GP for advice. If you are worried about any new symptoms, then please get in touch with your surgery. 

“We will be able to reassure you or if necessary get you to see a specialist quickly and safely. It is important to remember that the sooner cancer symptoms are picked up and treated, the better.” 

Initial telephone consultations or via video mean people do not necessarily need to go to GP surgeries for check-ups, and if they do need to be seen in person then there will be measures in place to keep patients safe. Waiting to get help could have serious consequences for patients and put a greater burden on the NHS in the future.

Dr Shelley Hayles, GP and Planned Care and Cancer Clinical Lead at OCCG, said: “NHS staff here in Oxfordshire have made huge efforts to deal with coronavirus but we are also working hard to ensure patients can get essential services such as cancer checks and urgent surgery safely.

“We are doing all we can to make sure patients receive the life-saving care they need.

“The wishes of patients and their families will always come first, and we have to make sure that people feel safe coming to GP practices and hospitals, but our message is clear: people should seek help as they always would.

“We know that finding cancer early gives us the best chance to cure it, and ignoring potential problems can have serious consequences now or in the future.”

Oxfordshire’s cancer diagnostics and treatment centres are based at the Churchill Hospital, which is a regional centre of excellence, as well as other specialist services in the John Radcliffe and Horton General Hospitals.

Nick Maynard, Cancer Lead at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have been working incredibly hard at our Trust to make sure that we can still provide urgent cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Patient safety is at the heart of everything we do, and we have made every effort to make sure that cancer treatment at our Trust is supported by robust shielding and screening procedures to protect our patients against COVID-19.” 

A major public information campaign launched last week to persuade people to contact their GP or 111 if they have urgent care needs and to attend hospital if they are told they should.

Cancers are detected earlier and lives are saved if more people are referred for investigation for checks.

The Red Zone, which covers a small part of Oxford city centre, marks the next step towards cleaner air in Oxford.

The formal consultation on the Red Zone is open to all and will run from Wednesday 4 March until midnight on Wednesday 15 April 2020.

Following feedback from the informal consultation in January, both councils have agreed a number of updates to the final proposals on the Red Zone.Both councils are inviting comments on the final proposals, which are expected to be reported to the councils’ Cabinets in summer 2020.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said: “Unlike the smog from industrial chimneys and cigarette smoke, you can't see the air pollution caused by fossil fuel cars. However, we can see the evidence of its impact in the ill health of residents exposed to polluted air. Our councils are committed to cleaning up our air, protecting people's health, and addressing local causes of climate breakdown. In time, I hope, the innovative actions of local councils to clean up dirty air will become as everyday as car passengers wearing seat belts to stay safe and people smoking away from enclosed public places to protect everyone's health. The launch of this formal consultation paves the way to the introduction of Oxford's Zero Emission Zone this year."

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a great priority for Oxfordshire County Council. Not only will this project make a difference to the quality of life and health of people living and working in the city centre, we are showing that it is possible as we start to respond seriously with climate action. We can look forward to a city that will be a healthier and cleaner place for all. In doing so, it is important to understand public views on the latest proposals for the Red Zone and encourage residents to study this version and submit their feedback."

The key points of the latest proposals are:

• The introduction of a charging scheme in the Red Zone between 7am-7pm, with an introductory £10 charge for non-compliant vehicles entering the zone, rising to £20 from August 2025

• Exemptions for businesses registered in the Red Zone until July 2025, followed by a discount until July 2030.

• A 90% discount for residents living in the zone until July 2030.

• Buses and Oxford licensed Hackney Carriages which drive within the planned Zero Emission have already agreed timelines for zero emissions fleets across Oxford and will not be subject to charges.

Updates to the final Red Zone proposals:The formal consultation will include updates to the proposals based on feedback from approximately 900 individuals and organisations in an informal consultation which ran in January 2020.

The consultation received 868 responses by via the online survey. In addition, approximately 40 emails (or emailed letters) were received from individuals and organisations.

The January consultation provided a range of views. As in previous consultations, some feel the scheme is unreasonably stretching, while others feel it is not sufficiently ambitious. However there was clear indication that introduction of the proposed Red Zone covering eight city centre streets, and introducing a charge for all non-compliant vehicles, would lead to a change in behaviour by most people. Only 14% said they would continue to drive in and pay the full charge. The remaining 86% said they would enter the zone in a compliant vehicle, enter outside of the charging hours, travel using bus, bike or walking, or they would not enter the zone at all.

The attitudes expressed in the consultation responses also highlighted a balance of views in agreement with the proposed charging levels, discounts, and hours of operation.

Based on the consultation feedback, the following updates have been proposed to the scheme:

• Eight week “soft launch” phase: A soft launch of the scheme which would see the Zero Emission Zone implemented but no charges payable or penalty charges issued until 1 Feb 2021. This is in order to address concerns about the scheme starting in the run up to Christmas 2020, a key trading period for city centre businesses.

• Start date for second phase of Red Zone to be changed to summer 2025: To address concerns about the scheme starting in the run up to Christmas 2024, a key trading period for city centre businesses

• Commitment to work with ZEZ residents and businesses to develop supporting measures: To address concerns that support is required to help people comply.
• Blue badge holder discount extended to include international equivalents: This update has been made to address concerns raised about the impact on access for people with disabilities. Both councils will explore whether it is necessary and feasible to broaden this exemption to cover people with disabilities who do not hold a Blue Badge or equivalent.

• Disabled tax class vehicles exempt in all years: This has been made to address concerns raised about the availability and cost of specially adapted vehicles for people with disabilities.

• Update to discount for blue badge holders or international equivalent: The originally proposed £20 daily charge from December 2024 for blue badge has been reduced to £10 from August 2025. This will be reviewed by the end of 2024 to establish whether any charge is appropriate.

• Review zero emission standard for large vans and lorries: Both councils will review zero emission standard for large vans and lorries in light of Ultra Low Emission Truck (ULET) standard, when available. This is in order to address concerns about consistency with national guidance.

• Exemptions for certain special vehicle categories: To address concerns about availability of alternative options where mode shift or re-timing is not possible and to ensure consistency with Clean Air Zones and London ULEZ.

Phasing of the Oxford Zero Emission Zone:Following feedback from the informal consultation, the phasing for the Oxford Zero Emission Zone has been updated.

More information about the updates, transitional exemptions/discounts, and permanent discounts can be found in the formal consultation document.

Oxford Zero Emission Zone

The Zero Emission Zone aims to reduce Oxford’s toxic air pollution levels, tackle the climate emergency, and improve the health of residents, workers and visitors in Oxford and beyond.

This follows increasing focus locally, nationally, and worldwide about the harmful impact of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions from vehicles and follows both the City Council and County Council recognising a climate emergency and making commitments to cut carbon emissions.

Transport accounts for about 75% of nitrogen dioxide pollution in Oxford, and 50 tonnes of CO2 are emitted by road traffic in Oxford every morning rush hour.

Air pollution has been found to contribute to cancer, asthma, stroke and heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and with changes linked to dementia. Data published by the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants (COMEAP) estimated that around 36,000 premature deaths in the UK every year could be linked to long-term exposure to air pollution, with health experts warning that there is no safe level of NO2.

The Zero Emission Zone is part of a wider local transport plan which aims to improve connectivity, reduce emissions and support sustainable growth across Oxford and Oxfordshire. Earlier this year, both councils consulted on their Connecting Oxford proposals to tackle congestion and improve public transport connections into and across Oxford. Together the two schemes aim to create zero emission transport system across Oxford and Oxfordshire.

Have your say:

Information about the consultation can be viewed on the councils’ websites. Hard copies of the consultation can also be viewed at County Hall or Oxford City Council offices and a number of libraries across Oxfordshire.

The consultation closes at 23.59 on 15 April and can be completed by the means below:

Online: www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/zeroemissionzone

Post:

Zero Emission Zone

Oxfordshire County Council

County Hall

New Road,

Oxford

OX11ND

Email: lts.team@oxfordshire.gov.uk

With the need for climate action, Healthy Place Shaping and addressing air quality at the heart of our thinking, the new Local Transport & Connectivity Plan (LTCP) will set out a transport vision for Oxfordshire that will contribute to developing a zero-carbon economy for the county and transform the health and wellbeing of residents.

This opportunity is more than just a survey; it will allow you to play a core part of making a real difference to how transport will be developed for a generation. The feedback gained will be used to help the council to produce a first draft of the future plan of action.

A range of radical new options are ahead of the county which you can help shape. This includes innovative ways of reducing traffic, the opening of new green spaces for leisure and travel, a new cycling infrastructure and much more. A series of topic papers featured in the survey will allow you to share your views. The topics cover a wide variety of areas including public transport, air quality, cycling, digital strategy and active and healthy travel.

This new plan will also address connectivity as a key factor enabling sustainable growth with an emphasis on the role digital connectivity can play in helping address the needs of a dynamic local economy based on technology combined with opportunities to work smarter. The plan will set out a series of priority measures to 2050, and the County Council is now undertaking wider engagement on how this should be further developed.

Cllr Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment said:

“The future of our transport matters not just because we need to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality; the options we propose in LTCP are aimed at fundamentally improving the quality of our lives. Oxfordshire is a great success story but its ongoing performance must address how we travel in a way that can reduce congestion, improve our health and help develop active, connected communities. We need and will value your input about how we can best do this, working together, so please take the survey and offer your views.”

The LTCP survey runs from 4 March. It has now been extended to close on 17 May. This is to ensure that there is enough time for everyone to feedback their views, given the current Covid-19 situation.

https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/ltcp.engagement/consultationHome

The sites are contained within the Draft Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Part 2 which is now out for consultation. Residents have until 4^th March 2020 to submit views on the plan.

This is an important chance for residents to submit their views on planning for minerals and waste development in Oxfordshire. The responses from this consultation will inform the next stage of the Draft Sites Plan preparation that will be put to further consultation later in 2020.

Work on the Draft Sites Plan follows on from the adoption of the Minerals and Waste Core Strategy in 2017. The Core Strategy set out the vision, objectives and policies for the supply of minerals and the management of waste in Oxfordshire over the period to 2031, and the Sites Plan sets out those sites needed to deliver the Core Strategy.

Following consultation last year, the Draft Sites Plan now sets out the four preferred mineral extraction areas and nine preferred waste management sites in the County that we believe will be needed in Oxfordshire up to 2031. We are seeking views on these sites and supporting policies.

Information about the consultation can be viewed on the council’s website, including the Draft Sites Plan, Response Form and all the supporting documents. Hard copies of the plan can also be viewed at County Hall and a number of libraries across Oxfordshire. Comments can be made online, via email or posted to the Minerals and Waste Team at County Hall.

Website: https://www2.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/content/new-minerals-and-waste-local-plan

Contact: mineralsandwasteplanconsultation@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council launched the consultation on the final draft proposals for the Oxford Zero Emission Zone on Tuesday 7 January.

The consultation will close on Friday 31 January at midnight.

Members of the public and businesses can have their say in the consultation via Oxfordshire County Council’s website.

Oxford city centre businesses were invited to ask questions and share their views on proposals for the UK’s first city centre Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) at a forum held on 22nd January.

The new proposals consider the Red Zone, which covers a small area of the city centre and will start from December 2020 for all vehicles. The informal consultation is on a draft final scheme for the Red Zone, including the proposed charging and enforcement arrangements, which could begin in December 2020.

The Zero Emission Zone aims to reduce Oxford’s toxic air pollution levels, tackle the climate emergency, and improve the health of those living, working, and visiting in Oxford and beyond.

The key points of the latest proposals are:

• The introduction of a charging scheme in the Red Zone between 7am-7pm, with a £10 charge for non-compliant vehicles entering the zone.
• Discounts for all blue badge holders entering the zone until at least December 2024.
• Exemptions for vehicles registered to businesses in the Red Zone until December 2024, followed by a discount until December 2030.
• A 90% discount for residents living in the zone until December 2030.
• Buses and Oxford licensed Hackney Carriages which drive within the planned Zero Emission have already agreed timelines for zero emissions fleets across Oxford.

The councils are looking for feedback on: the level the charges are set at, whether the discounts are appropriate, the suggested hours of operation for the charging scheme, what future phases of the Zero Emission Zone should include, and when they should be implemented.

Final Red Zone proposals will go out for formal consultation in March.

Councillor Tom Hayes, Cabinet Member for Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, said: “When I talk to colleagues, community meetings, and knock on residents’ doors to pick up casework, the Zero Emission Zone regularly comes up in conversation. People have strong, reasonable, and well-judged views, but they might not share them in a formal consultation. We’re issuing one last push for Oxonians to share their views in order to make the Zero Emission Zone both fair and effective.“Are the daily charges for polluting vehicles too low or too high? Our two councils are proposing future phases of the ZEZ—should we introduce the Zero Emission Zone to the rest of the city centre sooner than 2021/22? Should that larger zone span a larger or smaller area? Should we seek to be a Zero Emission Oxford sooner or later than planned? Finally, should people living in the Red Zone pay 10% or 100% of the charge for driving their polluting vehicles? These are the burning questions we need answering. Everything you tell us gets read and listened to, and really could make all the difference.”

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment, Oxfordshire County Council, said: “Tackling air pollution and climate change is a great priority for Oxfordshire County Council. Not only will this project make a huge difference to the quality of life and health of people living and working in the city centre, we are showing that it is possible as we start to respond seriously with climate action. We can look forward to a city that will be a healthier and cleaner place for all. In doing so, we welcome the views of the public, residents and other stakeholders and ask them to submit their views on the proposals in our survey."

Cllr Yvonne Constance is Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment said: “Disposable plastics are everywhere. There are now more fast-food outlets, more shops resorting to packaging and plastics. Not all packaging is bad, as it can protect food and make it last longer, reducing food waste, but the key is to reduce, re-use and recycle. We hope to make the younger generation more aware of the impact of plastic on the environment. We are asking them and others to give us their views, ideas and tips on how we can make it easier for people to use less plastic and other materials, increase the amounts recycled and dispose of them properly”

Our Recycling team put together these top tips to kick the plastic habit while putting some money on your pocket too:

1-Remember your reusable bags when you go shopping.

2-Invest in a reusable water bottle (stainless steel bottles are more sustainable than plastic).

3-If you like a takeaway coffee, treat yourself to a reusable mug, you can get collapsible ones to fit easily in your bag, or ones made from bamboo if you want to avoid more plastic. Disposable coffee cups are lined with plastic and hard to recycle.

4-Look for products with less packaging, or no packaging, such as fruit or vegetables. Local markets can be a great place to shop, and you can reduce the amount of packaging you buy.

5-Buy concentrated products and refill packs instead of fully packaged products, such as fabric conditioner, washing powders and some beauty products – this can save you money too. Community Action Groups like Sesi provide refill stations in Oxford (https://www.facebook.com/sesi.oxford)

6- Remember to recycle the packaging you do have. While 90% of packaging is recycled in the kitchens, only 50% is being recycled in the bathroom. Shampoo, conditioner, make up, hand wash and cleaning product bottles can all be recycled (please remove the pump trigger).

7-Where possible, buy larger or economy sizes of goods such as breakfast cereal, tomato ketchup, toilet rolls and soap powder. This can save money and creates less packaging in the long run.

Many of us have watched David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II and were shocked to see the devastating threat posed by plastics to our oceans. Lots of people are passionate about recycling and reducing waste and are busy participating in the survey, which closes on 18^th February. But recycling habits vary from generation to generation. Those aged 16 to 34 are the least likely to recycle, according to a recent survey by Serco Environmental Services and Future Thinking. Nationally, just 48% of millennials said they recycle all they can, a fall of 8% year on year. We also want to hear from them. All the councils in Oxfordshire are working together to seek your views on how we can help you to reduce the amount you throw away, and recycle more. Click here to respond to the consultation: www.recycleforoxfordshire.org.uk

Residents are being given the chance to talk rubbish and recycling and tell Oxfordshire’s county, city and district councils how they can help them recycle more and create less waste.

This consultation will inform the review of the joint countywide waste strategy. This sets out shared priorities across Oxfordshire for waste and recycling until 2030, that will be approved by the Oxfordshire Environment Partnership over the summer. Then, each council partner will adopt changes later in the year.

We want to do better at recycling and the new joint countywide waste strategy is critical to this. We know that on average over half of the items put in the general waste bin could have been recycled by placing them in the other bins available.

Through this consultation residents are being asked what would help them to reduce their overall waste consumption and recycle more. This includes expanding the range of materials that can be recycled at the kerbside and tips and advice on left-over food, upcycling clothing or donating or buying second hand goods. The councils are also seeking views on more radical schemes that have been implemented elsewhere in the country, such as changing bin sizes and collection frequency.

Councillor Yvonne Constance, Cabinet Member for Environment at Oxfordshire County Council said: “We want to help residents to increase the amount they recycle and have looked around at what other councils are doing. This is a long-term strategy and we will not be making any immediate changes however we are interested in which of these the residents of Oxfordshire think may work for them as we seek to minimise the overall amount of residual waste produced in the county.”

Do you want to recycle and reduce waste, so help us by taking part in the online survey at www.recycleforoxfordshire.org.uk. The survey is open and will close on 18th February.

Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to introduce a 30mph speed limit and other measures on Chipping Bridge, Station Road from Kingham to Bledington.

To find out more and have your say visit: https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/StationRoadKingham30mph/consultationHome

Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to construct a kerbed build-out priority feature on Murcott Road, at the south-western end of Upper Arncott to improve safety.

If approved it will be on the western side of Murcott Road, approximately 20 metres south-west of the junction with The Village Close and will narrow the carriageway to a single lane, with priority being given to traffic travelling south-westwards out of Upper Arncott.

Comments on the proposals can be made online via https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/MurcottRoadTrafficCalming/consultationHome

The consultation closes on 8 September 2017.

Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to introduce a 20 mph speed limit on existing roads and on new development roads in Harwell as follows:

• on Grove Road from Drewitts Corner to a point 410 metres west,

• on Barrow Lane, Barrow Road, Manor Green, Talbot Close and The Croft, in place of the existing 30mph speed limit on these roads

• on all the new roads under construction accessed via a new junction on the north side of Grove Road approximately 75 metres west of Manor Green.

The council also proposes to introduce a 40mph speed limit on the rest of Grove Road westwards to its junction with the A4130, in place of the existing national speed limit.

The full details of the proposals can be found here and people have until 18 August 2017 to respond.

• extending the 30mph speed limit on Denchworth Road, southwards to the Mably Way roundabout,

• removing two current sections of road from use by motor vehicles only; at the northern end of Denchworth Road and at the westernmost end of Cane Lane (which are being made redundant due to a realignment of Denchworth Road and a new junction being constructed on Cane Lane). There would however continue to be rights of way for pedestrians and cyclists on the closed sections of highway.

• constructing traffic calming features on Newlands Drive; comprising of six flat top road humps at various side-road junctions and four pairs of speed cushions along its length.

The consultation will run until 11 August and more details plus the chance to respond are available at: https://consultations.oxfordshire.gov.uk/consult.ti/DenchworthNewlandsGrove/consultationHome

The county council is implementing the Household Waste Recycling Centre strategy that was passed by cabinet on 15 December 2015.

Part of implementing the new strategy is procuring a new management contract to operate the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) sites. We would like to know your views on measures that could be implemented at sites to make savings and create income.

There will be a consultation on these proposals running until 11 August 2016. This consultation is open to all Oxfordshire householders to comment on.

Understanding public views, opinions and preferences is key to our decision making process.

Take part in the consultation here 

People are encouraged to complete the response questionnaire. If residents need support to take part in this consultation, contact Oxfordshire County Council on 01865 816043 or email waste.management@oxfordshire.gov.uk.