LAUNCHED on November 27, 1969, Oxford Civic Society is celebrating 50 years as ‘an independent voice for Oxford’ today.

It was set up to fight the city council’s plans for a new route through the city to combat traffic congestion, and has since campaigned successfully on planning, housing, communities, heritage, the environment and other issues affecting the quality of life in the city.

Society chairman Ian Green said: “Transport is still one of the society’s priorities today. We would like to see a future where fewer people need their cars, more people travel using public transport or bike and where walking is an accepted way of life.

Oxford Mail:

"Climate change means we need to get tough with transport choices.”

READ AGAIN: Blue plaque honours decades of park-and-rides

The society has marked its anniversary year by running three highly popular public debates in the Town Hall, sponsoring a blue plaque to mark the first park-and-ride scheme at Redbridge, and commissioning a history of its achievements among other activities.

Oxford Mail:

Mr Green added: “In response to Oxford’s pressures for growth, we have increased our capacity to contribute to strategic development planning in the city region.

"We are contributing to the planning of major development sites.”