Return to Items for DecisionDelegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Transport – 26 March 2009 200Statement of Decision
Oxford City Centre Low Emission Zone
Present:
Also in attendance:
Documentation considered:
A copy is attached to the signed copy of this decision.
Summary of representations in person
Mr Jaeger congratulated the City and County Councils on the work undertaken. He considered it imperative that vehicle conversion was carried out to Euro V standard and for all bus companies, including the smaller operators to be compliant. He did not support the suggestion that intercity services should operate from outside the city centre but rather they should be Euro V compliant.
Councillor Smith welcomed Euro V compliance but was disappointed that the process would take so long.
Mr Kraftl and Mr Pitman presented the report. Both emphasised the importance of joint working and shared responsibility and that the work undertaken to establish a framework was being closely monitored by other authorities.
Cabinet Member’s Comments
Councillor Hudspeth recognised the importance of supporting smaller companies and the need to retain bus services.
Decision
Having regard to the arguments and options set out in the documentation before me, the representations made to me and the further considerations set out above, I confirm my decisions on this matter as follows:
to:
(a) endorse the principle that proposals for a low emission zone (LEZ) are progressed as part of an integrated package of transport and bus quality improvements in Oxford;
(b) support Oxford City Council’s intention to declare a low emission zone (LEZ) requiring all public service vehicles (PSVs) operating in Oxford city centre to meet the Euro V emission standard by 31 December 2013;
(c) instruct officers to:
(i) agree, by 30 September 2009, a timetable and objectives for a bus quality partnership scheme (QPS) requiring all PSVs operating in Oxford city centre to comply with the requirements of the proposed LEZ; and
(ii) work with the Traffic Commissioner to develop a traffic regulation condition, requiring all PSVs operating in Oxford city centre to comply with the requirements of the proposed LEZ. The TRC will be introduced unless a QPS as described in (c) (i) above has been implemented first;
(d) ask officers to carry out a detailed assessment of the impact of the propsed LEZ on low frequency bus services, particularly subsidised services or services whose commercial viability is uncertain but where it is important to retain a service for residents.
Signed ...................................................................... Cabinet Member for Transport
Date ………………………………….
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