Have your say on the future of transport in Oxfordshire

People who live work inor visit Oxfordshire are being urged to have their say on a plan to deliver a zero-carbon transport network by 2040.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet approved the draft Local Transport and Connectivity Plan (LTCP) last Octoberwhich – among its many ambitions – aims to cut car journeys by a quarter by 2030 and reduce them by a third by 2040.

It also plans to increase the number of cycling trips from 600000 to one million by 2031.

Now businesses and residents can have their say on the plan until 16 March. People can take part and make their voices heard via the below link.

Take part in the discussion

Final adoption of the plan is currently scheduled for summer 2022.

Councillor Duncan Enright Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategysaid: “We want to know what it would take for people to make fewer journeys by car. We want to hear from them about the financial implications and what they need in terms of alternative transport arrangements.

“The estimated average cost of owning a car is nearly £500 per month if you are paying for it on creditor nearly £300 if you only take into account fuel insurance tax maintenance and so on. How much would you spend on alternative ways to get around by bus train bike taxi or on foot? What else would you need to cut the number of cars in your house and cut your monthly bills?

“We know we face considerable challenges as we seek to deliver our aspirations. There will be tough decisions around how we use existing road space but now is the time for an ambitious and comprehensive plan which the LTCP provides. We believe it will help create a thriving county tackle inequality protect our environment and improve the health and wellbeing of residents.

“We are really keen for the people of Oxfordshire to engage with us in this process not just now but throughout the years as it evolves. We know it will take a long time to get to where we want to bebut we have a clear vision of shifting the balance away from single occupancy cars in favour of something more sustainable.”

The LTCP is a wide-ranging document with more than 90 policies which aim to provide the backbone for the council’s commitment to invest in an inclusive integrated and sustainable transport network for the county. It looks at ways of reducing the need to travel and discouraging unnecessary individual private vehicle use through making walking cycling public and shared transport the natural first choice.

Key policy areas include:

• Walking and cycling
• Road safety
• Digital connectivity
• Public transport
• Environment carbon and air quality
• Networkparking and congestion management
• Freight and logistics

The county council will be hosting a series of online webinars to introduce the LTCP in more detail and answer questions. Detail about how to sign up for these will be provided on the council’s website and social media in the coming weeks. 

A business focused event is scheduled to take place on 26 Januarybetween 8am and 9am. 

Businesses can email: [email protected] if they have any further questions or issues.