DRIVERLESS cars, a city-wide zero-emission zone and a tram system could well be the new norm by 2050 according to Oxford City Council as it seeks to map out its future vision.

This month the council is asking residents and businesses for their views on how they think the city should look in 2050 as part of a five-week consultation.

This week the council wants your views on transport in Oxford and beyond.

Councillor Louise Upton, Oxford City Council’s Champion for Cycling, said: “By 2050, diesel and petrol cars will only exist as museum pieces.

"Air quality in our city centre will be excellent. Our main issue will be capacity – how to get the large number of people who live, work and visit Oxford in, out and around the city.

"Looking at how clogged up High Street is at the moment this is likely to involve a mass transit scheme like trams.

“There will be far fewer cars parked on streets as more and more people sign up to car clubs. Driverless cars will be the norm.

"Many of those on-street car parking spaces will be replaced by cycle racks as people are encouraged to build exercise into their everyday lives: Cycle to work, cycle to visit friends, cycle to the shops.

"Driverless cars will be great news for cyclists as they will be much safer; they won’t be tempted to just nip past you and force you into the gutter."

According to the council 46,000 people commute into Oxford every day for work, and the population is set to increase from 161,000 to around 190,000 by 2050. Commuters who cycle to work is at the second highest percentage of any other city in England, at 17 per cent.

This week's Oxford 2050 consultation is asking residents and businesses what they think the main form of transport in and around Oxford should be - such as mass transit systems, electric and non-electric bikes, or on foot.

Leader of Oxfordshire County Council Ian Hudspeth said of the consultation: “Clearly, continuing to develop plans for the future of Oxford works best when our own residents play an active part in the discussions and so I would urge everyone to get involved in Oxford2050 and have their say."

To take part in the consultation visit oxford2050.com.