CoHSAT Press Release 31 March 2025
CoHSAT is calling out flaws in the method of Oxford Business Action Group’s (OBAG’s) survey of Oxford residents about the coming experimental Traffic Filters.
“This one-sided survey from OBAG is another attempt at disinformation from people who mistakenly think that lots of traffic is good for a city. What their survey shows is that they have to hide all the benefits of the Traffic Filters to win the argument. The more people are informed, the more they see the benefits, and the more they support the Traffic Filters to free us from gridlock.” said Robin Tucker, Co-Chair of CoHSAT.
“We support business. That’s why we want traffic congestion, one of the biggest problems for the county’s economy since at least 2013, fixed. But we’re not going to fix the problem by letting the traffic keep growing, like the small OBAG group seems to want. We agree with business leaders in the Zero Carbon Oxfordshire Partnership, which includes the largest businesses in the city, that action is necessary to reduce the amount of car traffic and shift journeys to buses, walking and cycling, freeing up scarce road capacity for priority uses.”
The key question used by OBAG is a loaded one, which states only the restrictions and penalties of the Traffic Filters, and does not state their intended purpose and benefits in reducing traffic and thus enabling buses to flow freely, making the roads clearer for freight, tradespeople, disabled people, carers and those with medical needs, and making cycling and walking safer. It did not mention the resident permit scheme or other permits or exemptions apart from four basic ones, or that the fine is only £35 if paid within two weeks.
OBAG Q5. The planned traffic filters will mean cars driving along these roads and past the traffic filters without a permit will be fined £70. The traffic filters will use ANPR cameras and will operate 7am-7pm every day of the week on Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, St Cross Road and St Clement’s Street. They will operate 7-9am and 3-6pm Monday to Saturday on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way. The roads will still be usable by all other vehicles (e.g. buses, vans, bikes, motorbikes). To what extent do you support or oppose the introduction of these traffic filters?
With this one-sided question, it is not surprising that their response was that 36% of respondents Supported and 58% Opposed the traffic filters.
Compare this with the question used by YouGov in a survey commissioned by CoHSAT and Oxfordshire Liveable Streets. This question sets out the benefits and restrictions, and the responses were 60% Support, 31% Oppose.
CoHSAT Q1. Six new ‘traffic filters’ are being considered which are designed to reduce traffic levels across Oxford, making bus journeys quicker and walking and cycling safer. When they are operating, most private cars will not be allowed through without a permit. All other vehicles including buses and emergency services will be allowed at all times. Having read the above, would you support or oppose such a measure?
We also note that the recent Citizen’s Assembly, who had full information about the Traffic Filters, inputs from experts and five people from OBAG, plus time to question and discuss those inputs came to the view that the Traffic Filters were appropriate and they would like to go further and create a ‘car-free city centre’, designated bus roads and add a ‘congestion charge’ to existing plans. These concepts had 88%, 88% and 74% support.
The Traffic Filters are part of a three-point plan (alongside the Zero Emission Zone and Workplace Parking Levy) introduced by the Conservative County Council in 2015 to tackle traffic congestion in Oxford, after businesses complained that it was affecting their operations. Nicola Blackwood MP identified traffic congestion as the biggest threat to the county’s economy in 2013. The Strategic Economic Plan of 2016 identified traffic congestion as one of the two biggest threats to the county’s economy, alongside housing.
Links:
Link to OBAG/Savanta Survey and their press release
Full results of CoHSAT/OLS/YouGov Survey:
LTP4: OCC Council Approval meeting (Sept 2015) – approving the Traffic Filters, ZEZ and WPL plan
Oxford Transport Strategy (LTP4, 2015) – detailing the Traffic Filters, ZEZ and WPL plan
LTCP: OCC Council Approval meeting (July 2022) – continuing the Traffic Filters, ZEZ and WPL plan, and approved nem con (without dissent) at Full Council
