For those not reading on phones etc
The county's highways chief has been accused of hypocrisy after objecting to the temporary closure of a key road near the site of
Oxford United's planned football stadium.
The club hopes to build a 16,000-capacity stadium at a site called The Triangle in Kidlington, allowing it to leave its current home at the Kassam Stadium, the lease on which expires in 2026.
The club is proposing that Oxford Road – the route linking Kidlington and Oxford – is shut to cars for at least 30 minutes at the beginning and end of matches.
Yet Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, has voiced his concerns over the plan to Cherwell District Council.
In a letter, shared with the
Oxford Mail, Mr Gant wrote: "I do not believe the travel plan as submitted can be considered acceptable. This response should be read as a formal objection."
Highlighting Mr Gant's reservations over the bid, Conservative opposition councillor Liam Walker said: "What a complete hypocrite.
"He's championed closing down roads in parts of Oxford with LTNs (low traffic neighbourhoods) and new bus gates, but as soon as something might slightly impact residents in his own area he comes out against it.
The county's highways chief has been accused of hypocrisy after objecting to the temporary closure of a key road near the site of
Oxford United's planned football stadium.
The club hopes to build a 16,000-capacity stadium at a site called The Triangle in Kidlington, allowing it to leave its current home at the Kassam Stadium, the lease on which expires in 2026.
The club is proposing that Oxford Road – the route linking Kidlington and Oxford – is shut to cars for at least 30 minutes at the beginning and end of matches.
Yet Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, has voiced his concerns over the plan to Cherwell District Council.
In a letter, shared with the
Oxford Mail, Mr Gant wrote: "I do not believe the travel plan as submitted can be considered acceptable. This response should be read as a formal objection."
Highlighting Mr Gant's reservations over the bid, Conservative opposition councillor Liam Walker said: "What a complete hypocrite.
"He's championed closing down roads in parts of Oxford with LTNs (low traffic neighbourhoods) and new bus gates, but as soon as something might slightly impact residents in his own area he comes out against it.
"My understanding is that it was his own highways department that called for the road to be closed along with Thames Valley Police.
"Anyone who has been to a sporting event knows you cannot safely empty a stadium in that location without the need to safely close the road."
LTNs prevent motorists taking shortcuts through residential areas and are intended to make streets safer for walking and cycling.
Those opposed say businesses have been adversely affected and they have pushed congestion elsewhere.
Richard Parnham, of the Reconnecting Oxford group, said: "I thought Andrew Gant was in favour of people not driving to places, but now he's worried people are not going to be able to get to the Sainsbury's on Oxford Road.
"The minute it affects his constituents he complains about it.
Ian Yeatman, an Independent Oxford Alliance councillor candidate for the Cowley ward added: "The hypocrisy displayed by councillor Gant is unbelievable."
Kidlington councillor Ian Middleton, however, congratulated Mr Gant on his position.
Mr Middleton said: "I think Andrew is taking the view, as I did, that he needs to represent his local residents.
"It's perfectly right that Andrew should be speaking up for his residents and I'm quite pleased to hear that he's decided to do that."
The Green councillor added the road closures in east Oxford were for "completely different reasons" and on small side roads rather than major roads.
He added: "There are lots of problems with these proposals.
"Closing the Oxford Road for any length of time is going to cause tailbacks in both directions.
"We could end up with gridlock."
Oxfordshire
County Council and Mr Gant have been contacted for comment.
Mr Gant's letter said: "The proposal to close Oxford Road to cars for at least 30 minutes at the beginning and end of matches would represent a significant and unacceptable loss of amenity to residents of my division and many others.
"Oxford Road is a key and well-used route allowing residents of the Cutteslowe, Five Mile Drive, Summertown and other areas access by vehicle to local amenities such as Sainsbury's, sport and leisure facilities in Kidlington and many others."
