HOUSEHOLDERS and businesses in East Oxford have given a resounding 'no' to plans to ban traffic from their residential streets.

A survey conducted by Oxfordshire County Council into extending the controversial Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme, which has divided communities in Cowley and Littlemore, into East Oxford has shown most people are opposed to the plan.

The proposed scheme would see a barrier placed in Divinity Road, as well as serveral traffic filters placed on through-roads between Iffley Road and Cowley Road.

The month-long consultation targeted those on affected roads and surrounding areas.

Of those who responded, the majority strongly objected to the plans.

A huge majority, 80 per cent, of businesses surveyed objected to the proposals – 90 per cent of them saying it would create more traffic on nearby roads.

A total of 2012 residents responded to the consultation online with a further 33 paper copies received by the council.

They showed that for Divinity Road, 45 per cent of respondents strongly objected, 36 per cent fully supported the plan. Seven per cent of respondents 'tended' to object and the same number 'tended' to support.

Of the respondents who live on Divinity Road, however, 62 per cent strongly supported the LTN proposal for their road.

A similar number, 61 per cent, of respondents from outside the Divinity Road LTN area, however, strongly objected. Only 24 per cent of respondents fully supported the scheme from outside the LTN area.

For the St Mary's scheme, 47 per cent respondents strongly objected to the plan, and 31 per cent fully supported it. Eight per cent 'tended' to object and the same number 'tended' to support it.

In the St Mary’s area 42 per cent of residents strongly supported the proposals while 39 per cent of objected. Of respondents living outside the LTN area 60 per cent strongly objected to the proposal, while 24 per cent fully supported it.

For the St Clement's scheme, 44 per cent strongly objected to the plan and only 31 per cent fully supported it. Eight per cent 'tended' to object and support. Again, 42 per cent of residents inside the proposed scheme area supported the project, with 37 per cent strongly opposing.

Of those respondents from outside of the area, 58 per cent strongly opposed the scheme while 24 per cent supported it.

Oxford Mail:

Businesses consulted were less supported of the scheme - a huge majority, of 80 per County councillor Tim Bearder will make the decision on whether to extend the LTN trial next Thursday.

In an email to an unnamed householder, Mr Bearder said: "The results of this survey does point to some interesting results, and I will take these into consideration when I make the decision on how to proceed next week."