Speaker: Martin Kraftl from the County Transport Planning Team

Martin Kraftl presented a clear outline of the main features of the new OTS/LTP4 to a packed meeting of pedestrians and cyclists. The stark necessity for major change in the transport system was demonstrated by projected increases in households and jobs requiring access to Oxford on roads already near gridlock.

Topics raised during questions included:

• Mass transport enhancement, including rail, bus, BRT
• Tunnel beneath the High Road charging (congestion charge) +/- workplace parking levy
• Increased number of more distal Park & Ride to reduce ring road traffic
• Need for targets and implementation details to be able to monitor progress
• Need to eliminate through-city routes for private vehicles
• Use of freight transhipment to keep large HGVs out of the city
• Need to note what has been learnt/not happened from previous LTPs
• Current heavy buses deter cyclists and damage roads
• A future with driverless cars
• Impact of the school-run and how to reduce it
• Conflict between increased use of ring road and linkage with Barton
• Lack of bikeability training in the county to foster a new generation of cyclists

The deadline for responding to this consultation has been extended to April 2nd, and this evening’s meeting was a useful and timely opportunity for making well-informed suggestions before the strategy goes to Oxfordshire County Council cabinet in June.