Latest news with #SusanBrown
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Temporary congestion charge considered for city
Car drivers could be forced to pay a £5 temporary congestion charge to access a city centre. Oxfordshire County Council said it was considering setting up a two-year scheme in Oxford from the autumn. It said action was needed due to traffic issues caused by the long-term closure of Botley Road for works. However, Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown said the proposal would "allow people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets". Paying the £5 charge, which would only apply to cars, would allow drivers to go through the six charge locations until the end of the day. Permits would be available for carers, traders, blue badge holders and those commuting to or living in a central area of the city. The county council said action was needed because of delays to a planned trial of traffic filters, which cannot be introduced until Botley Road is reopened. The route is currently shut because of overrunning works at Oxford Station and the railway bridge, which are now not due to finish until August next year. The charging points for the congestion zone would be in the same places as the planned traffic filters: Hythe Bridge Street St Cross Road St Clement's Street Thames Street Marston Ferry Road Hollow Way Andrew Gant, in charge of transport for the Liberal Democrat-run county council, said: "We urgently need to see improvements to travel around the city, better bus services and less traffic overall, to help people get around. "We must take action for our residents, businesses and visitors while Botley Road remains closed." However, Oxford City Council said there has been no previous consultation on the plan. Labour leader Susan Brown said: "Yet again the city is being done to rather than engaged with in preparing transport proposals. "We need a full review of transport policies with a view to tackling congestion in our city. This is something a Greater Oxford Council would do." Campaign group Cyclox welcomed the proposals, saying Oxford's congestion had "reached crisis point". "We can't leave things as they are; if nothing is done the city will grind to a halt under the weight of car traffic," it said. "We cannot build more roads to magic congestion away." Previously Oxford Bus Group warned that congestion was at "emergency levels". The proposals will be discussed by the council's cabinet on 17 June and, if approved, a six-week public consultation would start later this month. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. City traffic filters postponed by Botley Road delay Call for city's traffic filter plans to be scrapped Council urged for 'Plan B' to tackle congestion Oxfordshire County Council
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Kassam Stadium extension 'reinforces' Oxford United's move need
Oxford United's lease extension at the Kassam Stadium "reinforces" that the club must move from it soon, the city council's leader has Championship club's licence had been due to expire at the end of next season but will run until at least June could be extended for another year until June 2028 but is dependent on the club getting planning permission for a 16,000-capacity stadium at the Triangle, near Brown, the council's leader, said it was clear the Kassam Stadium "cannot provide a long-term home" for the U's. She said while the extension was "welcome", it was "regrettable that such an arrangement is necessary".The stadium is owned by the club's former chairman Firoz Kassam and his Firoka Group."It confirms the temporary nature of the club's current arrangements and underscores the importance of delivering a new, sustainable home that meets the long-term needs of Oxford United and the wider community," Ms Brown District Council is set to decide if the new stadium should go ahead by 31 July, according to its 3,800 people and organisations have submitted their views on the scheme, which would include a hotel, restaurant and gym, and comments will be accepted until the end of Oxford City Council plans, the land used for the Kassam Stadium could be used for at least 150 homes in the local authority and the Firoka Group own that land.A leisure complex next to the current stadium could be redeveloped and used as a science park. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Devolution: Oxfordshire County Council to put plans to government
A plan for devolution in Oxfordshire is set to be submitted to county council's cabinet is meeting later to agree on is expected to say that a new mayor for the region should cover Berkshire, Oxfordshire and are also set to make the case for one unitary council for the whole of Oxfordshire - which it has said could save taxpayers £27m a year. The government announced in December 2024 proposals to abolish district councils and introduce large mayoral combined authorities in England. The changes will be the most significant reforms to local government since areas have been "fast-tracked" - meaning they will not have planned elections this May and will instead push on with reorganisation and devolution. Oxfordshire was not successful in its bid to be included in the fast track scheme -but has been told by government to prepare plans for reorganisation, with changes set to be in put in place in 2028. 'A single front door' If agreed later, Oxfordshire County Council will tell government that it's "preferred geography" for a new mayoral authority will include Berkshire, Oxfordshire and a directly-elected regional mayor, there will be one or more unitary authorities covering Oxfordshire. The council's report sets out options for one, two or three councils covering the county - with the latter two options also including West Berkshire in a "Ridgeway Council".Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet is expected to back the idea of a single council for the authority's report, Liberal Democrat leader Liz Leffman said: "This Council would create a single front door for all local authority services across the historic and recognised county of Oxfordshire, delivering high-quality, value-for-money and responsive services to residents, businesses, institutions, visitors and investors."That position puts her at odds with other district councils in the area, who want to see a model with more than one council covering Berkshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse Councils have proposed they form a new authority, because of their "strong demographic and economic similarities" and "significant historical ties".Oxford City Council's leader Susan Brown has said there should be "separate councils for central, northern and southern Oxfordshire together with West Berkshire to reflect our distinct geographies". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Judicial review over new Thames bridge dismissed
A judicial review of plans for a new bridge over the Thames has been dismissed by the High Court. The £10m pedestrian and cycle crossing was proposed by Oxford City Council and would involve clearing a section of the city's Grandpont Nature Park. Campaigners have argued it would lead to irreversible biodiversity loss on the site, and challenged the legality of the council's decision. Responding to the court's judgement, city council leader Susan Brown said: "We welcome this outcome, which upholds our planning decision in full." The authority gave the go-ahead for the Oxpens River Bridge in April. In submissions to the High Court, the Friends of Grandpont Nature Park group argued the committee was misled on key facts and had not considered vital information. But Deputy Judge Dan Kolinsky KC rejected all five of the group's challenges in his written judgement issued on Monday. The bridge would connect the Osney Mead industrial estate and the Oxpens area with the city centre. It is being funded using £8.8m from the Housing and Growth Deal programme, and £1.5m from the Housing and Infrastructure Fund. Ms Brown said: "While it is important that people have the right to challenge decisions through the legal process, the government has been clear judicial reviews should not be used to block much-needed infrastructure that benefits communities. "With the decision made, we can now focus council time and public money to progress delivery of the bridge. "Once complete, it will provide an essential, safe, and attractive walking and cycling route linking new homes and jobs at Oxpens and Osney Mead with the city centre." The Friends of Grandpont Nature Park were contacted for comment. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Judicial review set to begin over new bridge Bridge opponents call for funding to be withdrawn Thames bridge campaigners can seek judicial review New bridge application 'followed proper processes' Petition against new bridge handed to council Campaigners seek judicial review over new bridge Council approves extra £600k for key development Oxford City Council
BBC News
11-03-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Oxpens bridge: Oxford Thames crossing judicial review dismissed
A judicial review of plans for a new bridge over the Thames has been dismissed by the High £10m pedestrian and cycle crossing was proposed by Oxford City Council and would involve clearing a section of the city's Grandpont Nature have argued it would lead to irreversible biodiversity loss on the site, and challenged the legality of the council's decision. Responding to the court's judgement, city council leader Susan Brown said: "We welcome this outcome, which upholds our planning decision in full." The authority gave the go-ahead for the Oxpens River Bridge in submissions to the High Court, the Friends of Grandpont Nature Park group argued the committee was misled on key facts and had not considered vital Deputy Judge Dan Kolinsky KC rejected all five of the group's challenges in his written judgement issued on bridge would connect the Osney Mead industrial estate and the Oxpens area with the city is being funded using £8.8m from the Housing and Growth Deal programme, and £1.5m from the Housing and Infrastructure Fund. Ms Brown said: "While it is important that people have the right to challenge decisions through the legal process, the government has been clear judicial reviews should not be used to block much-needed infrastructure that benefits communities."With the decision made, we can now focus council time and public money to progress delivery of the bridge. "Once complete, it will provide an essential, safe, and attractive walking and cycling route linking new homes and jobs at Oxpens and Osney Mead with the city centre."The Friends of Grandpont Nature Park were contacted for comment. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
