Plans by Oxford County Council to limit drivers from using the county’s roads as part of the its Net Zero agenda have been branded “totalitarian” by locals. The Telegraph has more.
Cars would be banned from driving without a permit at peak times on six roads across Oxford under a scheme being trialled next summer.
Under Oxfordshire County Council’s proposals, all other vehicles – such as motorcycles and HGVs – would be allowed at all times.
A consultation on the issue began on Sept 5, but the proposals have been met with consternation from residents and business figures.
Jeremy Mogford, a hotelier who chairs the Oxford High Street Association, told the Oxford Mail that he wanted to see “a massive response, one way or the other”.
Mr Mogford, who founded The Old Parsonage Hotel in Banbury Road, said: “These new measures will bring additional costs, which will chip away at people’s ability to pay their bills and costs.
“I don’t think these measures are necessary – it’s the whole infrastructure at risk, including delivery drivers and builders.
“What we have is people making decisions that don’t live in the city centre or spend much time in the city.
“There’s a lot of scepticism that consultations are a token gesture – the last time round, the majority were against the bus gates and it was postponed until now.”
Author Richard Wellings spoke out against the scheme, writing on social media: “As part of the elite’s Great Reset ‘Build Back Worse’ agenda, the war on motorists is entering a much nastier, totalitarian phase.
“Drivers will need to get a permit to enter certain areas at certain times, with permits only available to selected groups,” he added.
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