The new Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme did not stop paramedics reaching a dying man quicker, the ambulance service has said.

Earlier this week one resident claimed in a letter addressed to councillors and Oxford East's MP Anneliese Dodds, that ‘valuable time’ was ‘wasted’ after an ambulance that was called out to help an elderly gentleman who was struggling to breathe had to turn around from Crowell Road as there were wooden planters blocking the road.

The man passed away as paramedics were unable to resuscitate him, leading other residents to question whether if there were no LTNs in place, an outcome would be different. 

Read also: Over 100 show up to virtual debate on Cowley's LTN

On the app for neighbours, Next Door, Councillor David Henwood, shared the letter of the concerned resident who asked 'would the outcome for the gentleman have been different if these ill-thought LTNs were not sanctioned?'

The post has since been deleted by the Councillor, however, screenshots of the post have now been shared on Facebook over 100 times.

South Central Ambulance Service has stated that the new LTN system did not affect the patient's outcome. 

Mark Ainsworth, Director of Operations at South Central Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust, said: “On 14 March, an ambulance crew were sent to a patient at an address on Littlemore Road, Oxford, following a 999 call received at 12:43.

"The ambulance arrived at the property at 12:52. Whilst this is a slightly longer response than the national target set for average response times to Category 1 calls (<7 minutes) it did meet the national response target of responding to Category 1 calls in 9 times out of 10 within 15 minutes.

"On route to the address, the ambulance crew initially followed a route that was impassable due to the recently introduced Low Traffic Neighbourhood Scheme in the area. In this instance, the delay did not affect the outcome for the patient."

Read here: Petition to remove Cowley LTNs gets over 1,000 signatures

The Trust is now conducting an investigation into whether the reason the ambulance crew followed the particular route was down to an error in the Trust's mapping software or human error.

The spokesperson added: "The Trust would like to extends its condolences to the patient’s family and if they have any concerns or questions about our response to their emergency call, to contact our Patient Experience Team on 0300 123 9280.”

Read also: Locals come out in support of Cowley LTNs as row intensifies 

A spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said: “We offer our condolences to the family.

"South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) have been clear that the Low Traffic Neighbourhood played no part in the situation that arose on Littlemore Road, Oxford on March 14”.

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