Oxford family blames traffic filters for car park gridlock

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

A family was stranded in an Oxford car park for hours on Sunday during heavy congestion on half marathon day.

An Oxfordshire family travelling from Abingdon to Oxford on Sunday, 11 October, became stuck in the Westgate car park for hours during severe congestion. Emily Strange, who travelled with her partner and two young children aged six and a half and ten months, had spent the day shopping and attempted to leave at around 3.30pm.

The half marathon event was taking place in the city that day. Ms Strange described seeing 'cars backed up along every channel of the car park' and said she had never experienced traffic like that in Oxford before, despite visiting during the half marathon in previous years. Staff at the Westgate were handing out water to waiting drivers, and Ms Strange was told that 'the entire city was backed up in all directions' with some people in the car park having waited several hours to leave.

Ms Strange blames the county council's traffic filters for the congestion. She said: 'Having one road in and out of the city doesn't work, and I have felt all along that it's a fairly obvious money-making exercise, but it just feels ridiculous. It's just going to kill the city and put everybody off.' She expressed concern about having enough supplies for her baby and about her daughter's homework and bedtime routine.

How it is being reported

• Family 'stranded' in Westgate for hours blame traffic filtersAn Oxfordshire mum has described her panic at being "stranded" in the Westgate for "hours" after backed-up traffic gridlocked the Oxford car park.Oxfordshire Guardian · 15 Oct, 05:00
• Family 'stranded' in Westgate for hours blame traffic filtersAn Oxfordshire mum has described her panic at being "stranded" in the Westgate for "hours" after backed-up traffic gridlocked the Oxford car park.Oxford Mail · 15 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Emily Strange · Oxfordshire · Abingdon · Oxford · Westgate

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