Littlemore North CPZ consultation closes as residents await council decision
An early survey suggests residents are overwhelmingly against a new CPZ in Littlemore, which would see them pay £80 per vehicle, however a council decision has yet to be announced.
A formal consultation concluded on 25th October 2024, allowing the council to consider residents’ views on the proposed CPZ, however preliminary surveys suggest residents are overwhelmingly against the development.
If approved, the CPZ would see residents required to pay £80 per permit each year, meaning £80 for each car they park on the road. 25 visitor permits will be free to each household, however an additional block will be charged at £31.50.
In the wake of a cost of living crisis, these fees could be problematic for some residents, however the council hopes that the new scheme will “afford residents the flexibility of where they can park and reduce the amount of sign and line clutter.”
Councillor Trish Elphinstone has previously sent out a survey to collate residents’ concerns, in which 73.9% of her 89 respondents were against the CPZ, and only 26.1% in favour of the development. Councillor Elphinstone has presented these findings to the County Council however the formal consultation process went ahead regardless.
When asked for her views on the proposed CPZ, Councillor Elphinstone explained that “most residents in Littlemore are against the CPZ because they do not see that there is a parking problem to resolve, and it is an unnecessary expense to those who are struggling.”
The councillor emphasises the financial impact of the proposed development on residents who may already be struggling with a rising cost of living, before concluding that “CPZs are good where they are needed and wanted. In this case the majority do not see the need.”
A final decision is expected to be announced by Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Transport Management, Councillor Andrew Gant at a public meeting currently scheduled for Monday 14th November.