A BBC Panorama documentary which explores how low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) have affected Oxford householders and businesses will be on BBC One this evening.

The documentary includes the BBC’s news climate editor Justin Rowlatt speaking to both those in favour and against the LTNs, including councillor and cabinet member for highway management Andrew Gant.

The panorama, which is on BBC One at 8pm tonight, will last for 30 minutes and will show how how the installation of LTNs has divided communities and resulted in campaigners becoming the victim of violence.

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Announcing the panorama, the BBC said Mr Rowlatt “finds some drivers pitted against supporters of low traffic neighbourhoods in what has become a battle between those who believe the schemes will reduce congestion and pollution and those who want the freedom to drive wherever they want”.

Low traffic neighbourhoods were installed in May 2022 and the initiative was made permanent in Cowley in July 2022.

The LTNs aim to reduce through traffic and make neighbourhoods quieter.

In the documentary, Mr Rowlatt is seen challenging Mr Gant over his engagement with business owners prior to the LTNs being installed.

Mr Rowlatt said to Mr Gant: “Business owners say listen you didn’t come and talk to us about this.

“They have been ignored.”

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Mr Gant’s response to this was: “Well I actually don’t accept that, the process allows for absolutely full consultation.

"But I certainly do not accept that I have not put a lot of effort into engaging with all sorts of people.

“I absolutely have.”

Mr Rowlatt also speaks to Florence Pugh’s father, Clinton Pugh, about his experience of engaging with Oxfordshire County Council.

The owner of Café Coco and the restaurants Kazbar and Café Tarifa told the BBC: “The thing that has been made so obvious is the lack of interaction that the county council have actually had with all the businesses.

“I haven’t found one business person that says they came and spoke to them.”

When Mr Gant was asked why the introduction of LTNs had become necessary, he said: “The city is blighted by too much through traffic and we have to limit the amount of cars that are doing exactly that and driving through it.”

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The BBC also spoke to the anti-LTNs campaigner from Reconnecting Oxford, Richard Parnham.

He told Mr Rowlatt: “We are trying to stop the council from basically shutting down Oxford’s road network.

“They have already started on the side roads and now are moving onto the main roads as well.”

The documentary also includes footage from the anti-LTN protest which took place in Oxford on February 18, and which led to thousands of people marching through the city centre.

The event attracted notable campaigners and activists such as Piers Corbyn and the controversial right wing politician Laurence Fox.

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Speaking to the BBC in the documentary, the former actor said: “I’ve come here because I object to being told where I can and can’t move in society.

“I think it is unhealthy and what has happened post pandemic, is that the powers that be and government have a desire to control our movement, our speech and everything.”

An Oxfordshire County Council spokesman has previously said they had received a breadth of feedback, including concerns, in relation to the LTNs.

He said: “We encourage people to continue sharing their feedback with us by emailing or calling us.”

A decision will be made by the cabinet as to whether to continue with the scheme later in 2023.