Oxford vehicle bans formalised despite police enforcement concerns

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 06:04 · Archive

Oxfordshire has formalised vehicle bans on two paths used for school runs, despite Thames Valley Police warning it will not enforce them.

Oxfordshire transport boss Gareth Epps formalised vehicle prohibition orders on two Oxford paths on 8 October. A section of Barracks Lane near Cowley Marsh and an Old Marston bridleway, which is also seeing the ban extended, were given formal status. Both paths form part of the National Cycle Network and are widely used on the school run. Bollards have been in place on the Old Marston bridleway for over 25 years.

The council said the formalisation and extension would 'prohibit drivers from entering the narrow lane and subsequently having to reverse out', which can 'create hazards, particularly at school arrival and departure times, due to the number of children using the route as a shortcut to a nearby school'. Access exemptions remain in place to maintain vehicular access to adjacent properties.

Thames Valley Police raised concerns about enforcement during consultation. A traffic management officer said the police had no objection to the orders in principle, but warned: 'there must be no expectation placed on TVP in terms of any future enforcement activity'. The force added that the council 'clearly' has its own powers to enforce such restrictions.

How it is being reported

• Vehicle bans formalised despite police warning it will not enforceVehicle bans on Oxford paths have been formalised by the county despite Thames Valley Police warning that "there must be no expectation" of enforcement.Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 05:00
• Vehicle bans formalised despite police warning it will not enforceVehicle bans on Oxford paths have been formalised by the county despite Thames Valley Police warning that "there must be no expectation" of enforcement.Oxford Mail · 14 Oct, 05:00

In this story: Oxfordshire · Oxford · Thames Valley Police · Barracks Lane · Cowley Marsh · Old Marston · Gareth Epps · National Cycle Network

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