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Police called in over abusive reaction to council's 'climate lockdown' traffic scheme

A protest against plans to divide Oxford residents into six climate zones - Greg Blatchford/Shutterstock
A protest against plans to divide Oxford residents into six climate zones - Greg Blatchford/Shutterstock

“Draconian” plans to divide Oxford residents into six climate zones have led to council chiefs calling in the police over "extreme abuse".

In a UK first, from 2024 car drivers must apply for a permit to travel through "traffic filters" for a maximum of 100 days a year.

The traffic filters come as Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council hope to become a “15-minute city”, with GPs, schools and shops in local clusters.

But it has erupted in a furious row, with councillors bombarded with abuse and “receiving numerous calls and social media messages from worried residents”.

In a joint statement this week, the Labour, Lib Dem and Green-run councils said they are “working with Thames Valley Police to report the most extreme abuse”.

Thousands sign petition against scheme

Under the authority’s £6.5 million trial, ANPR cameras will scan Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, St Cross Road and St Clements seven days a week from 7am until 7pm, as well as rush hour at Hollow Way and Marston Ferry Road.

Private cars without permits will be fined £70 if they pass the boundaries, with blue-badge holders, carers and 100-day permit holders exempt.

However, none of the restrictions will apply to cyclists, e-scooters, mopeds and motorbikes, buses, vans, HGVs, taxis and emergency vehicles, in an aim to make walking, cycling and public transport the default choice.

Some critics have described it as “climate lockdown” and “like the Berlin Wall”, while thousands of residents have signed petitions railing against it.

Thousands of residents have signed petitions against the scheme - Greg Blatchford/Shutterstock
Thousands of residents have signed petitions against the scheme - Greg Blatchford/Shutterstock

Eddie Reeves, leader of Oxford’s county council Conservative opposition, said it was a “draconian, discriminatory and expensive policy”.

"The council is pleading poverty from the Treasury, whilst spending millions of pounds of public money on a series of anti-business, city-centric measures, of which this is just one,” he told The Telegraph.

"For a so-called 'liberal' council to establish a network of cameras that restrict personal freedom at a cost of £6.5 million beggars belief.

"An annual spend of £800,000 could see the council improve air quality, boost local businesses and encourage commuters - both in and outside the ring road - out of their cars by making park and ride sites free.”

'Akin to the Berlin Wall'

Fraser Jones, who owns Barefoot, an Oxford bakery chain, said it was “akin to the Berlin Wall” with “gates [that] will serve to keep residents in their local community”.

A consultation of 5,700 residents in September and October found mixed support, including concerns for the families of elderly people, Oxford’s surrounding villages and the survival of city museums.

Residents living in the rest of Oxfordshire can only apply for a permit to travel between the districts on up to 25 days a year.

Oxford County Council said the traffic filters were expected to cut traffic levels by around 20 per cent across the city and by a third in the often gridlocked city centre, adding that they are “not physical barriers of any kind” but rather cameras that can read number plates.