THE Oxford Climate Lobby has responded to the Oxford City Consultation on its preferred options for the City Plan to cover the period up to 2036. This consultation is open until, August 25 and can be found at https://consultation.oxford.gov.uk/consult.ti/LPPODocument/consultationHome.

We are concerned that none of the preferred options on the City Council’s leaflet questionnaire, delivered to households in the City, mention Climate Change. The City Council needs to consider the following:

1. How will it deal with a hotter and, in the summer, very crowded central area. This is not just a matter of increasing pedestrianised and pedestrian priority areas. More trees for shade, more fountains and ponds and the possibility of green walls and green roofs should all be considered. Clearly, more water features and vegetation must mean more water storage in water butts and tanks to minimise the use of mains water. Working with other landowners in the city centre to achieve this is essential. 

2. There is a high risk that reductions in greenhouse gases and air pollution in the city will be offset by increases in all types of traffic, particularly stimulated by the new Westgate Shopping Centre. Neither county nor city measures have recently succeeded in preventing significant traffic growth in the county. Steps already suggested – like Controlled Parking Zones – help but the cutting of rural
bus subsidies will result in dramatics increases in car use. The city must face probably population increases in the whole county with a clear commitment to much more cycling, rail, pedestrian and bus investment to exert downward pressure on vehicle movements. Enforcing the prohibition of cars on the High Street during the working day would certainly be a start.

JILL HAAS
Oxford Climate Lobby