Issue - meetings

The Council has recently voted unanimously to pass the new Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. The headline goal of this policy is to reduce car journeys by 1 in 4 across Oxfordshire by 2030.

The achieving of this goal will require many residents across the county to change their everyday travel habits and behaviours.

As a Council and as councillors we lead by example. Having a free car park in front of County Hall in central Oxford is not the way to lead by example and an embarrassing relic that lies in stark contradiction to our published goals, especially when we are asking others to reduce their car use, and when there are plentiful other ways to travel to County Hall including Park & Ride, bus, train, cycling and walking. Members of all parties have recently voiced their support for our excellent Park and Ride as well as the many other direct services to County Hall.

Therefore, the Council recommends that the Cabinet give consideration to closing the car park at the front of County Hall by Spring 2023 and repurpose the space with public realm improvements, such as green infrastructure, trees and benches. A full disability assessment should be carried out and Disabled parking bays would need to be retained for those with blue badges for access to County Hall, preferably between County Hall and the Castle complex.

With the consent of Council, this motion was withdrawn

With the consent of Council, this motion was withdrawn

The Council has recently voted unanimously to pass the new Local Transport and Connectivity Plan. The headline goal of this policy is to reduce car journeys by 1 in 4 across Oxfordshire by 2030.

The achieving of this goal will require many residents across the county to change their everyday travel habits and behaviours.

As a Council and as councillors we lead by example. Having a free car park in front of County Hall in central Oxford is not the way to lead by example and an embarrassing relic that lies in stark contradiction to our published goals, especially when we are asking others to reduce their car use, and when there are plentiful other ways to travel to County Hall including Park & Ride, bus, train, cycling and walking. Members of all parties have recently voiced their support for our excellent Park and Ride as well as the many other direct services to County Hall.

Therefore, the Council recommends that the Cabinet give consideration to closing the car park at the front of County Hall by Spring 2023 and repurpose the space with public realm improvements, such as green infrastructure, trees and benches. A full disability assessment should be carried out and Disabled parking bays would need to be retained for those with blue badges for access to County Hall, preferably between County Hall and the Castle complex.