Oxfordshire County Council is replacing bollards with Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) sites. The LTNs are at Crescent Road, Littlehay Road and Littlemore Road in Cowley as well as at Divinity Road, James Street and Magdalen Road in east Oxford, says the Oxford Mail. However, there has been a delay in putting up the warning signs for motorists and they will now not be going live until mid-May

When the cameras are turned on, private vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, will not be allowed to drive through the six points without an exemption. If they do they will receive a penalty charge notice.

Emergency, waste, and postal service vehicles will be exempt, as will taxi and private hire vehicles.

Buses will also be exempt at the Littlemore Road point.

The cameras will operate continuously, but in the event of an emergency incident they can be turned off to allow traffic diversions.

The council made the decision to add cameras to the six closure points following a six-week consultation in spring 2023 for Cowley and the summer of 2023 for east Oxford.

Planters remain at the sides of the roads at all the locations, though the bollards have been removed.

Bill Cotton, Oxfordshire County Council’s corporate director for environment and place, said: “The decision to replace six closure points with ANPR cameras follows public consultations and close engagement with the emergency services.”

(Pic – Newsquest)