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May morning bridge closure opposed |
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20th June 2006 A motion from Green County Councillor Deborah Glass Woodin, to request the involvement of local Councillors in decisions about the proposed future closure of Magdalen Bridge on May morning, was dismissed by a majority of Councillors from the Conservtive, Lib Dem and Labour Councillors. See text below. FMI: Cllr Deborah Glass Woodin 01865 248073
Motion from Councillor Deborah Glass Woodin
“This Council opposes the approach taken to address safety issues at Magdalen Bridge on May Morning. These ‘spontaneous’ celebrations in the City Centre are a time-honoured tradition and one of the few occasions that ignore the traditional ‘town and gown’ divide.
It is unfortunate that Councillors representing the areas affected have been consistently excluded from discussions concerning the safety issues, about which we also have genuine concerns.
However, to respond to these issues by closing the Bridge, therefore cutting off access to the event to the entire Eastern side of the City, is an extreme over-reaction. It has already resulted in an increase in crowd size on the High Street, with the response being to consider closing the High Street as far as Carfax in the future.
Council is therefore asked to:
(a) request that County Councillors concerned be invited to attend future meetings to look at alternative ways of addressing the safety issues;
(b) oppose any further closures and ensure that access from East Oxford be re-instated at this event in future.”
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