AN innovative scheme to reduce traffic in Jericho could be a step closer thanks to the financial backing of dozens of supporters.

The Jericho Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) group launched a crowdfunding campaign to pay for their proposals to be professionally reviewed and they reached the £3,815 target in just three days.

The plans include pedestrianising part of Walton Street and creating four ‘modal filters’ to block vehicles.

Group chair Jamie Hartzell was delighted with the speed at which the total was reached after predicting it could take four weeks.

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He said: “It really takes it forward, as we can now find out the best possible scheme for everyone.

“It shows the level of support there is for these kind of changes.”

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City councillor for St Margaret's, Tom Landell Mills, has asked for £1,000 from his Community Infrastructure Levy budget to help fund the consultation, with Labour's Louise Upton also requesting funds.

Mr Landell Mills, a Liberal Democrat, said: "Though the overwhelming majority of people welcome the scheme, we need to explore people's objections."

He added: "Long term, I think it'll boost shopping and make Jericho and Walton Street even more attractive."

Walton Street has been closed since last summer, with Oxfordshire County Council saying it will remain shut until an LTN has been 'designed, consulted on and funded'.

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Under current plans, the area would be bordered by Beaumont Street to the south, Woodstock Road to the east, the Oxford Canal to the west and Polstead Road to the north.

Walton Street would be pedestrianised between Juxon Street and Jericho Health Centre, with one of the four 'modal filters' at the latter.

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The others would be next to The Rickety Press pub in Cranham Terrace, in Allam Street at the junction with Juxon Street and in Little Clarendon Street.

It comes as several city streets are temporarily pedestrianised, with St Michael's Street closed to vehicles until next September.

Read also: St Michael's Street stays pedestrianised for another year

Six businesses, including Walton Street Cycles and The Jericho Cafe, offered rewards on the crowdfunding page, in return for donations.

But a spokesperson from the Jericho Traders Association said they knew of only five companies out of 44 that supported the scheme.

They said: "With very few exceptions, Jericho business owners strongly oppose any pedestrianisation scheme.

"It's entirely untrue to say otherwise."

Mr Hartzell said: “We don’t claim to represent everybody and know some people are opposed.

“We just want everyone to ensure their concerns are fed through so they can be taken into account.”

The scheme will be appraised and costed by Chris Proctor, the lead technical consultant on the Waltham Forest Low Traffic Neighbourhood scheme in London.

The group will then ask residents for their thoughts, before they are presented to Oxfordshire County Council by Christmas.