A GROUP of opponents gathered at County Hall in Oxford to protest ahead of a meeting on controversial traffic measure.

This morning Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet held an extraordinary meeting to discuss six ‘traffic filters’, which are designed to "reduce traffic, make bus journeys faster and make walking and cycling safer."

The barriers equipped with surveillance cameras, will prevent private cars travelling through much of the centre of the city without a permit. Other vehicles, including buses, coaches, taxis, vans, mopeds and HGVs, will continue to have access at all times.

Sajjad Malik, an independent city councillor who represents Temple Cowley, told the Oxford Mail: “I have launched a petition that has more than 3,100 signatures against the filters – the majority of the people and businesses I have spoken to are against them and they are going to have a negative impact.”

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Jenny Wells, who owns a mobile hairdresser business, said that she was worried about the impact that the filters would have on her business.

She said: “It would be really difficult for me to get to my clients and I think no one really wants these measures.”

A total of 52 people addressed councillors during the meeting, including residents, business owners and representatives from campaign groups Cyclox and Oxfordshire Liveable Streets, as well as climate change denier Piers Corbyn.

About 40 people also attended the meeting from the public gallery and two people had to be escorted out of the chamber by security due to outbursts.

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This story was written by Anna Colivicchi, she joined the team this year and covers health stories for the Oxfordshire papers. 

Get in touch with her by emailing: Anna.colivicchi@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @AnnaColivicchi