Householders living in a low traffic neighbourhood (LTN) street have shared their thoughts on the findings of a damning report which says businesses find the contentious scheme "damaging". 

We spoke to those living in Magdalen Road in Oxford this week to find out what it is like living on a street where traffic is prevented from taking shortcuts through a residential area. 

It comes as the Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA), a new political party, conducted a survey in March to investigate how cars in the "micro area" of Magdalen Road had been affected by the traffic measures, receiving feedback from 15 questionnaires distributed to the 20 businesses on the road.

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Oxford Mail: Magdalen Road.Magdalen Road. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

A total of 10 out of 15 respondents "strongly believed" the LTNs "had a negative impact on their business" and the overwhelming answer was apparently that the scheme had been "a disaster".

LTNs were introduced in east Oxford in May 2022 with the aim of making streets safer but have since proved controversial and been blamed for increasing congestion.

Oxfordshire County Council has identified Magdalen Road as a street which is benefitting from the scheme.

Michael Hinz

Oxford Mail: Michael Hinz.Michael Hinz. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

Mr Hinz, who has lived in the area for one year and works in the city centre, said the LTNs had made it "a lot safer" to cycle.

He reacted to the county council starting work on the roll-out of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) cameras to replace bollards.

Mr Hinz raised concerns about people potentially not being aware of the cameras or "hardcore motorists" not caring and driving through anyway.

Luke Heirens

Oxford Mail: Luke Heirens.Luke Heirens. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

Mr Heirens, who bikes and drives, said "With biking it's fine.

"It can be a bit of a pain to get round to Cowley Road though."

Paul Crandon

Mr Crandon who lived on the other end of the road and has done since 2012, was not a particular fan of the scheme.

He said: "If it's for an environmental reason, it has not changed anything.

"The cameras are going to make some money for the council I imagine."

Oxford Mail: Magdalen Road ANPR camera sign.Magdalen Road ANPR camera sign. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

Lily Moore

A student at Oxford Brookes University, Lily Moore claimed most of her fellow students were against the scheme.

She added: "We use cars, get over it.

"There aren't fewer cars it's just displaced them all on the main roads which has led to a lot of traffic."

Munir Hussain

Oxford Mail: Noor Halal entrance.Noor Halal entrance. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

We popped into Noor Halal in Magdalen Road to confirm the findings from the IOA survey that businesses are against the scheme.

An 'anti-LTN' poster was displayed outside the store.

Munir Hussain, a worker at the store, said customers had been lost as a result of the closure and he hoped the road would be opened up soon.

Oxford Mail: Munir Hussain.Munir Hussain. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

This comes as other traders in Oxford have also criticised the measures in addition to some residents.

An anonymous retailer at the Covered Market told us "a journey into the city centre from Blackbird Leys takes well over an hour".

Oxford Mail: Noor Halal.Noor Halal. (Image: Noor Qurashi.)

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman said: “We continue to monitor the LTNs and evaluate their impact.

“Feedback from engagement and consultation has resulted in changes to LTNs, including amendments to closure points and parking to improve access to businesses and other organisations."