Oxford transport chief attacks council leader over traffic filters

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 06:03 · Archive

Oxfordshire's transport chief has attacked the Oxford city council leader for calling to review traffic restrictions during roadworks.

Oxford city council leader Susan Brown called on Friday for a review of the city's transport policies following severe delays and gridlock in the first week of a county traffic filters trial. She said essential roadworks had coincided with traffic filters and other restrictions to overwhelm the road network, and questioned whether the council could temporarily suspend restrictions, including camera-enforced traffic filters, to help traffic flow during the period of major disruption.

Oxfordshire's county transport chief Gareth Epps responded sharply, questioning whether Brown was prepared for a child to be killed or injured to help residents navigate roadworks. He accused her of not caring about the safety of children who use the filtered roads. Active travel campaigners also objected to Brown's statement. Ian Loader, chair of Cyclox, said the council should never open low-traffic neighbourhoods to relieve congestion, noting that the council's own statement had acknowledged downsides for cyclists from doing so.

How it is being reported

• Transport boss fears 'child could be killed' amid Oxford traffic row"Is she prepared for a child to be killed or injured?" questions Oxfordshire's transport boss as he slams the city council's leader in an escalation of a traffic row.Oxford Mail · 13 Oct, 05:00
• Transport boss fears 'child could be killed' amid Oxford traffic row"Is she prepared for a child to be killed or injured?" questions Oxfordshire's transport boss as he slams the city council's leader in an escalation of a traffic row.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Gareth Epps · Susan Brown · Ian Loader · Oxford City Council · Cyclox · Oxford

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