Oxford East Conservatives have accused Oxfordshire County Council of failing marginalised communities following announced changes to bus services in Oxfordshire.
Services to Littlemore are set to dramatically change, with the main 16 bus route replaced with a new 5A route serving the Cowley Road.
Deputy Chairman and Littlemore resident, Daniel Stafford, said:
“The county council have failed to deliver on their promises to improve connections between Littlemore and the rest of Oxford. Their support for ongoing traffic restrictions, especially the horrific ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhoods’, were all supposed to be justified by increasing the availability of public transport.”
“Residents have consistently asked for more frequent buses. The new 5A service is no more frequent, and will be slower as it gets caught in the horrific logjam that is the Cowley Road. With the 3A service now serving Greater Leys in place of the cancelled 12 route, Littlemore residents have no increase in provision, worse service, and no direct connection to the railway station.”
“I am stunned that Cllr Bearder welcomes these proposals as a positive alternative to cars. These measures will discourage Littlemore residents from taking the bus, leaving vulnerable residents who are unable to cycle even further isolated from the friends, family, and services they rely upon.”
“The county council are either taking Oxford’s residents for fools, or genuinely indifferent to encouraging greater active travel. Many Littlemore residents will feel that these changes are more proof that the ‘Fair Deal’ county coalition has no interest in serving Oxford’s marginalised communities.”
Leader of the Conservative Group on Oxfordshire County Council, Eddie Reeves, added:
“Residents across Oxfordshire, particularly in our City, have been taken for a ride by the Fair Deal Alliance.
“In six months, Lib Dem, Labour and Green Councillors have taken the ‘ride’ out of two of our City’s Park and Ride services.
“The bottom line is that the new administration promised us a ‘Fair Deal’ on public transport and has failed to put its money where its mouth is.
“At a time when local government has received the biggest injection of public money in over a decade, blaming the Government simply will not do.
“Under the Conservatives, despite having no Councillors in the City, we always delivered bus services that were fair to both urban and rural residents. I cannot recall ever cutting services like this during my time on Cabinet and I am shocked to see the Lib Dems, in particular, brandishing this as a success.”
