Lib Dems say that Plan Panders to the Car

1.38.00pm GMT Tue 21st Feb 2006

Speaking about the Local Transport Plan at today's County Cabinet meeting, Cllr Bob Johnston, Liberal Democrat spokesperson on transport, criticised it for being too long-winded, repetitive and without a clear vision. "What there is appears to be totally dominated by the car," he said. "If the major cycle track schemes for Wootton and Cholsey are deleted, then there is not much in the Plan about cycling, walking and the needs of the two-wheeled fraternity. The car dominates throughout, although for the sake of the environment there should be more attempts to persuade people out of their cars - by providing proper alternatives."

He welcomed the comments on buses but pointed out that Liberal Democrats would have given a higher priority to bus clearways and preventing illegally parked vehicles which currently cause chaos, particularly on the Cowley and London Roads.

Bob pointed out several errors of detail in the Plan showing that it was written by people who did not know the real situation on the ground - such as the section on social deprivation in the Vale of White Horse. Finally Bob said, "The Plan could be so much better - and be so at much less length and in a more readable way."