Print Page - Oxfordshire Transport Schemes Face ^13m Cut

Transport schemes across Oxfordshire are in disarray after changes in Government funding left the county council with a ^13m shortfall (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.2137441.0.transport_schemes_face_13m_cut.php

Plans to improve bus services and refurbish Oxford's historic High Street will be hit, along with road safety programmes.

Councillors have been told that spending is having to be severely curtailed because of changes in Treasury rules covering spending on transport schemes. Funding for improving the county's roads is down a quarter to ^18m, while the maintenance budget is down ^7m.

County cabinet member for transport, Ian Hudspeth, said:

Quote from: Ian Hudspeth

"The Government raised expectations and allowed us to plan for things that we will now struggle to deliver."

A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said:

Quote from: Department for Communities and Local Government

"Every local authority in the country is receiving an increase in core grant. We do not recognise the claims Oxfordshire County Council is making in terms of reduction in funding."

Here is a related link.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=6455.msg10931#msg10931

Quote from: Lee Fletcher on March 21, 2008, 15:28:59

Plans to improve bus services and refurbish Oxford's historic High Street will be hit, along with road safety programmes.

Two of Oxford University's most prestigious colleges have called for an end to the "vandalism" of the historic High Street by transport planners (link below.)
http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2191475.0.university_colleges_fight_bus_stops_plan.php

All Souls and University colleges claim one of Europe's most beautiful streets is being ruined by pollution, noise and clutter, resulting from "ill-thought out" bus policies.

The attack was prompted by news that Oxfordshire County Council wants to put more bus stops in the street.

But the colleges said more buses would spoil views of the medieval college buildings, while condemning students to endure "24-hour-a-day bus noise and air pollution".

All Souls' bursar Thomas Seaman said the effect of two bus stops in front of the college's main entrance was "too appalling to contemplate".

University College domestic bursar Elizabeth Crawford said:

Quote from: Elizabeth Crawford

"Increased numbers of bus stops will inevitably mean more buses.

"You may be interested to know that pollution levels in Oxford feature in questions on A-Level geography papers, because they are so closely comparable to those in Mexico City and Beijing.

"The High Street has already become a sorry sight in terms of signage, street furniture and street layout, and your proposal will simply make it into a bus station."

Graham Jones, of the Oxford High Street Business Association, said businesses were upset the council seemed bent on pushing through its plans without sufficient consultation.

But Ian Hudspeth, the council's cabinet member for transport, said:

Quote from: Ian Hudspeth

"The proposals were sent out to colleges and businesses to get some feedback from them and see whether they agree.

"It's important to highlight that we want to work with them, not against them."

Great Western Coffee Shop

All across the Great Western territory => Buses and other ways to travel => Topic started by: Lee on March 21, 2008, 15:28:59