A DECISION on whether three Low Traffic Neighbourhoods should be rolled out in Cowley will be made next week, after a survey found local support for them.

The LTNs are likely to be given the go-ahead for a six-month trial at an Oxfordshire County Council meeting on Thursday, January 21.

The council has just released the results of a survey which asked residents what they thought of the plans.

Overall 52 per cent of residents who responded fully supported that plans and six per cent supported them with reservations.

But 26 per cent of residents opposed the plan, while eight per cent were neutral.

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A further six per cent have no answer in support or objection.

The survey was sent to 4,800 households across Cowley, where three of the LTNs will be created in Florence Park, Temple Cowley and Church Cowley.

Each of these areas were surveyed separately in the council consultation, with Florence Park being the most enthusiastic supporters for the LTN.

A low traffic neighbourhood uses bollards or street planters to transform through-roads into cul-de-sacs to prevent rat running, while allowing residents to drive their cars in and out.

The measures have proved controversial in some parts of London with people who feel they cause congestion.

Comments on the consultation found that 32 per cent of Cowley residents were also worried about the measures causing congestion.

Supporters of LTNs have previously argued that they lead to a phenomenon called traffic evaporation, where cars are less likely to drive in streets surrounding them.

Yvonne Constance, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, said: “We have listened to what transport and other changes local people want to be made as a result of this pandemic and we are taking action. I’d like to thank those that responded to the survey on these proposals. The feedback will allow the council to put forward a scheme design that is right for our communities.

“We are also considering this scheme — as well as wider, interrelated and permanent schemes, including the Zero Emission Zone and Connecting Oxford – as part of our response to address congestion, improve air quality and respond to our climate action agenda.”

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Ms Constance is due to sign off the plans next Thursday.

If they are given the go ahead, they will then begin on a six month trial basis, during which the council will be asking for feedback.

After that, the LTNs might be removed, made permanent, or modified, subject to another council decision.

There are also plans to introduced experimental LTNs in other parts of Oxford, including in Jericho, and Headington.

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