Decision details

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. He explained that these items were on the Forward Plan under ‘Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Transport Management’. However, when the agenda was published, a Cabinet had not been appointed by the Leader of the Council post-election. Therefore, the decision was taken to publish these items in agenda under ‘Delegated Decisions by the Leader of the Council’, since the position of the Leader exists post-election even when a Cabinet has not been appointed. Once the Cabinet was appointed and Council was notified on 20 May, the Leader delegated responsibility to chair this meeting to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management as the items fell in his portfolio, as per the provisions in the Constitution.

The Chair apologised for any confusion this may have caused.

The Chair introduced the item, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.

The Chair noted that if the recommendations were agreed, the scheme would be kept under review and monitored, in terms of future interventions such as the traffic filters proposals.

The Chair referenced several consultation responses, including about concerns raised around the impact on safety, as well as ‘exemption creep’.

The Chair noted support from the Oxford Health NHS Trust for this proposal other congestion-alleviating measures, which would help NHS colleagues travel more freely during their work day.

The Chair noted support from local City Councillors.

The Chair thanked speakers and officers and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the exemption for Urgent Community Response (UCR) vehicles to drive through the following restriction points in the Cowley and East Oxford low traffic neighbourhoods currently enforced by ANPR camera: Bartholomew Road, Cornwallis Road, Crescent Road, Divinity Road, James Street, Littlehay Road, Littlemore Road, and Magdalen Road.