| Transport plan anti-bike |
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21 June 2005
Greens have condemned as anti-bike the draft Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 (LTP) agreed by the majority of Councillors at today's meeting of Oxfordshire County Council. The LTP is the second produced by the County (the original being LTP 2001 - 2006)and attempts to comply with new funding guidelines laid down by the Government.
Although the original LTP included a target to increase cycling from 9.2% to 20% by 2011 [1], the new LTP abandons this and supports a policy of 'no change' [2] - effectively supporting a 'target' of just 7.6% [1].
Says Green Councillor Sushila Dhall who sits on the County's Environment Scrutiny Committee: "This Plan is anti-bike and there is little for pedestrians. Cycling is good for health, reduces pollution and congestion. Yet the County seems content to let cycling stagnate at the current, historically low, levels."
The Greens also condemned the decision to remove two planned 'Home Zones' from the capital programme depriving two residential areas within Oxford City of promised improvements in local safety and environmental enhancements designed to favour cyclists and pedestrians.
On a more positive note, the Greens welcomed the improved Bus Strategy.
Contact: Cllr Dhall 01865 553415 [1] LTP 2001-2006 http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ltp_cycling.pdf "To increase the proportion of trips for the journey to work from 9.2% in 1991 to 10% in 2001, and 20% in 2011." (page 65) In fact, according to the 2001 census, cycling declined between 1991 and 2001 to 7.6%. [2] LTP 2006 - 2011 http://www.transaction.org.uk/downloads/ltp/Ch13.pdf See target 12: page 248. "Experience has shown that while it is possible to increase cycling levels in particular corridors through specific improvements to facilities it is much more difficult to achieve network-wide increases... Consequently it is proposed that a target of no change be set for this indicator." |