The commission would allow local businesspeople, public sector leaders from the council’s health, education and blue light partners, elected members and academics with relevant expertise in the field to assess the effectiveness of transport measures.
Conservative councillor Eddie Reeves, leader of the opposition, put forward the motion to be debated at today’s full county council meeting (Tuesday, November 4).
This comes as Oxfordshire County Council plan to roll out several measures to prevent congestion in the city, including expanding the Zero Emissions Zone and introducing more traffic filters.
The aim of these initiatives is to reduce car trips, encourage the use of active travel such as walking and cycling, and help lower emissions.
These measures have been factored into the council’s budget and will take place unless there is a change in administration in next years’ election.
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Mr Reeves said: “It’s time for us to come together and tackle Oxford’s congestion problem in a sensible, pro-business way, using the wealth of expertise across our city.
“For years, officials in County Hall have dictated solutions to Oxford, whose business owners, university staff and public sectors workers have been crying out for a meaningful voice.
Eddie Reeves, leader of the opposition (Image: Eddie Reeves)
“Conservative councillors and I have been pushing the idea of a Congestion Commission since January to bring more people into the conversation.
“Restrictive camera-controlled bus filters allied to Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and eye-watering car parking charges will not solve the problem.
“They will only drive commuters and shoppers elsewhere.
“With the finest minds in the world in our city, we can surely do better, if only councillors would ask.”
The motion notes that over the course of five years, Oxfordshire motorists could be fined £57 million over the course of five years.
This breaks down to £25 million from expanding the Zero Emissions Zone, £21 million in workplace parking tax and £11 million from traffic filters.
It also states that the group’s purpose “is not to water down or frustrate the administration’s policies” but to “assess the likely effectiveness of such measures and advise as to whether other measures might be given effect after next year’s local elections”.
The council considered setting up a Congestion Commission as part of its last budget debate, but this was not put in place at the time.
If passed, the motion will go to the executive of the county council before it can be enacted.