A new political player, the Independent Oxford Alliance, has emerged in response to growing discontent with traditional parties in Oxford and concerns about the impact of low-traffic neighbourhoods on local traffic flow. The Telegraph has the story.
A new independent political party has been launched in Oxford amid a growing sense that local democracy is failing because of concerns that councillors from traditional parties are not listening to constituents.
The Independent Oxford Alliance (IOA) was launched in the county last week in response to the numerous low-traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) blamed for causing gridlock on the city’s roads.
Dr. Anne Gwinnett, the Chairwoman of the newly registered party, said independent candidates, including those who have stood in the past, as well as people entirely new to local politics, will stand on local issues and not national party agendas or the wishes of lobby groups.
“We’ve come to the conclusion that the only way we can change things given that the councils are not listening to residents is to actually change things from within.”
In a statement, the party added: “The last straw for many residents has been the disastrous local transport policies imposed on Oxford and the rigged consultations to justify them.
“IOA believes it is wrong for councils to deliberately cause congestion with LTNs and effectively tax all but the wealthy out of their cars with emission zones and parking charges.
“IOA councillors will challenge and undo these policies. They will listen to what local residents and businesses believe needs to be done to improve the city’s transport system for all.” …
Oxfordshire has seen the issues surrounding LTNs divide many of its communities. LTNs were introduced in East Oxford in May 2022, prompting protests with bollards run over, burned and stolen.
They have also been blamed for increasing ambulance response times. …
Worth reading in full.
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