Controversial proposals for restrictions on cars in Oxford, including a charge on parking at work, would be “another nail in Oxford’s coffin” according to a top hotelier.

Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council yesterday revealed joint proposals to cut car use in the city, with the introduction of a city-wide workplace parking levy, traffic filters and a wider Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ) to cover the entire city centre.

Consultations on the proposals will take place this summer, with the schemes to be implemented from next year.

By reducing the number of cars, the councils hope to reduce air pollution, increase the reliability of public transport and improve cycle routes.

The workplace parking levy would see businesses with more than 11 staff parking spaces on their premises charged £11.50 per month per vehicle.

The city and county councils will not be exempt.

The funds raised by this, estimated to be around £40m over 10 years, will be used to improve transport infrastructure in the city with a focus on bus services and cycling lanes.

Deputy Leader and city council Cabinet Member for Green Transport, Tom Hayes said: “The goal of the workplace parking levy is to reduce car use in the city but it’s also to raise the funds that can go towards improvements of bus transportation, cycling routes and more sustainable infrastructure.

“People want to play their part, they want to comply with the zero emission zone, they want to be able to address air pollution so that they can breathe cleaner air and benefit from the health impacts. They want to play a part in addressing the climate crisis because they know that their children and grandchildren will be adversely impacted, but they just need it to be possible.”

Oxford Mail:

Jeremy Mogford

Six traffic filters will be installed which could limit access to certain streets, allowing only buses, cyclists and pedestrians to pass.

These are proposed for St Clement’s as well as Marston Ferry Road, Hollow Way, St Cross Road, Thames Street and Hythe Bridge Street.

At the end of this month, the county and city councils will launch a pilot zero emissions zone (ZEZ) – Britain’s first – which will cover Cornmarket, Queen Street, Bonn Square, New Inn Hall Street, St Michael’s Street and Ship Street.

If it is deemed successful after consultations this summer, then it would be extended, within two years, to cover the whole city centre. It would mean diesel, petrol, and other vehicles which produce emissions will be charged.

The charge will vary from £2-£10 a day depending on the emission levels of the vehicle.

To enforce the charges, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras are being installed.

Hotelier Jeremy Mogford, who owns the Old Bank Hotel in High Street and is chairman of Oxford High Street Association, condemned the latest proposals.

He said: “I am totally depressed by what these two councils are doing to our city – it is another nail in Oxford’s coffin.

“It’s like we are in a heavyweight boxing ring and we are getting massive punches left, right and centre, without any regard to the commercial heart of the city – it is anti-car and anti-business.”

He added: “The number of empty units has increased – we are Top of the Pops when it comes to empty units.

“This is only just beginning – and there is a blind dogma at work and it is harming our city irreparably.

“The timeframe (for introducing these measures) is not allowing businesses and residents to catch up.

“Businesses should be given more time to adjust to the Zero Emission Zone – we are rushing headlong into this and I can’t understand it.

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “We want to make walking, cycling and using public transport the first choice for people. The new plans will not only help us move towards a progressive transport network in the city, but they will also improve the quality of all our lives.

Oxford Mail: The bus gate in Oxford High Street keeps out ordinary traffic during the day

“Oxford has always been a leader in innovation and these new plans will help us move towards a zero-carbon transport system in the city, while making Oxford a safer, cleaner and better place for people who live and work here and for those who visit.”

Funding for these schemes will come from government grants which the county council is currently applying for such as the zero emissions transport cities bid.

It is also currently awaiting the outcome of its Bus Service Improvement Plan submission, as well as a bid to the Government’s Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme for £80m in funding to support the delivery of more than 150 new electric buses in Oxford.

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