Ambitious proposals to support a zero carbon transport network
Today, we announced plans for a city-wide conversation about how we all travel around Oxford.
We have been working closely with Oxfordshire County Council to build on 2019 proposals to create a more sustainable and reliable transport system in Oxford, and we want you to be involved.Â
We're have a climate emergency; Oxford's air is polluted, which is harming people's health; and, as we're sure you will have noticed if you've tried to drive in the city, our roads can be extremely congested.
Both councils recognise that big changes are needed to tackle these problems. We are proposing ambitious changes to the way we travel around the city with the introduction of:
- Workplace Parking Levy (WPL): A WPL which cover employers across the city, with money raised by the levy being spent, by law, on improving transport in the city.
- Traffic filters: Six traffic filters are proposed on certain roads (Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry road, St Cross road, Hollow Way, and St Clements) to reduce traffic congestion, improve bus journey times and create safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians.Â
- Zero Emission Zone (ZEZ): Extending the ZEZ from the current pilot area to cover the entire city centre.
The proposals aim to support people walking, cycling, and making journeys on public transport with improved public transport and cycle routes.
We need to take bold and innovative action to address congestion in the city. However, we can't do that alone.Â
Over the coming months, we will be engaging with businesses, service providers, hospitals, transport providers, schools and town and parish councils to gather suggestions and feedback on the proposed schemes.
Public consultations on the proposals will take place in late summer 2022 and we will be working closely with the city's employers to make sure we get it right, with the schemes to be implemented between 2023 and 2024.
By changing the way people travel in and around Oxford, the schemes will also help reduce air pollution, create healthy communities and reduce traffic levels across the city.
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