"We'll likely see a slew of ineffective new gesture policies", says an Oxford interest group leader reacting to the announcement that Labour will continue to run the city in a minority administration.
This follows the release of a statement from Labour, Lib Dem and Green groups, revealing how the parties planned "closer working", but no coalition at the hung council following post-election talks.
Oxford Green leader, Lois Muddiman, stated she was "incredibly pleased" with the planned "collaborative approach", saying the party would hold the administration to account.
Lib Dem group leader, Katherine Miles, said the administration made an "explicit commitment to Vision Zero" on the roads, adding “these must not be empty commitments, made to reach a deal in minority administration".
Richard Parnham of the pressure group, Reconnecting Oxford, shared concerns and hopes for the next two years.
He said: "If the new administration was actually serious about helping to deliver Vision Zero, it should commit taking an evidence-based approach to the policy - such as developing a lorry safety strategy for the city, and pushing the university to open up traffic-free walking and cycling routes across its vast city centre estates.
"In reality, neither of these policies are likely to be taken forward.
"Instead, we'll likely see a slew of ineffective new gesture policies under the Vision Zero banner, such as banning cars from new housing development and new restrictions on on-street car parking."
City and county councillor David Henwood, leader of the Oxford Independent Alliance (IOA) party, said: "Collaboration is important, but outcomes must reflect the needs of our constituents and not be driven by political ideology."
He said the IOA would not "enter into backroom arrangements or political bargaining over votes and positions".
Mr Henwood added: "Yet again it will be the Independents that will hold the administration to account, but we intend to do so by being a critical friend, and when necessary, challenging."
Robin Tucker of Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHASAT) was more positive about the future.
He stated: "A collaborative administration shouldn't be a barrier to progress, in many parts of Europe, they've achieved great things."
Robin noted that "there are plenty of places that most elected councillors actually agree with each other".
He added: "Remembering the city council isn't responsible for most transport, we'd like to see them taking action on the 2024 Walkable City motion, and clearing the pavements of clutter that impedes disabled people and families with children."
Susan Brown, the de facto leader of the council and Labour group leader, said: "An agreement between the three largest groups on the council to form a stable administration is in the interests of the people of Oxford.
“We are committed to working productively with all councillors, as has happened in previous years, and sharing positions in an equitable way is part of that."
She said the council's committees will be "politically balanced" and as a Labour minority administration, it will deliver on the party's manifesto commitments.
Despite questions raised on whether the discussions could lead to wavering on congestion charge opposition, she said this is set to continue in the administration, along with plans to build "hundreds more affordable homes".
Ms Brown added that Vision Zero is "about ending cyclist deaths on our roads and is something that I thought all councillors were committed to supporting".
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