Oxford Transport Plan

The Oxford Transport Plan forms part of Oxfordshire County Council's Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). This is required to consider: air quality, climatic factors, noise, bio-diversity, population, human health, soils, water/flooding, material assets (quarrying), culture, heritage, landscape/townscape and will relate to the period 2011 to 2030 so it is important that we have some input. The objectives of the Plan are to: secure infrastructure, reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, develop public transport and to promote and support cycling and walking.

To date three stages of consultation have taken place. At each stage the number of responses has dropped - not surprising as at the end of stage two there were 590 schemes, all bar 4 of which were either very minor traffic management related, or in many cases, actually related to footpaths & cycleways. Thus we have the development of walking very much at the centre of the Transport Plan. The third stage was a drop-in event to discuss the scenarios that are being developed and the submission of those we feel to be most appropriate for Oxford City; the larger and smaller towns and the rural areas.

The next stage is to consider the scenarios that could be adopted over the next 20 years. This consultation is underway now and detail may be seen on www.oxfordshire.gov.uk and I will do my utmost to promote OFS's interests in the preparation of this plan.

Peter Ewart