The activation of cameras enforcing controversial traffic calming schemes has been delayed.

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.

The cameras which have been installed were due to go live yesterday (April 29).

Oxford Mail: Residents of Cornwallis and Bartholmew Road called for cameras in 2021

But there has been a delay in putting up the warning signs for motorists and they will now not be going live until mid-May.

READ MORE: Oxford United fan receives abusive letter over support for stadium plans

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. 

“ANPR cameras will allow emergency service and other essential vehicles to travel through these six points. During unexpected incidents we may also have more flexibility to arrange traffic diversions. 

Oxford Mail: Oxford LTN Protest .19/02/2023.Picture by Ed Nix.
“LTNs are designed to work with other measures, like our trial traffic filters, to reduce the need to travel by car and improve journeys made by walking, cycling and public transport.

"We will continue to monitor the LTN areas and will review the need for ANPR cameras and exemptions when we trial the traffic filters from this autumn.” 

READ MORE: Scales of Justice - results from Oxford Magistrates Court

Liam Walker, shadow cabinet member for transport management, called the cameras “dystopian”.

He said: "These cameras are just another dystopian way for the anti-motorist coalition at the county council to hammer motorists with more fines and control where people can and cannot go.

“Let's not forget they're planning to expand the zero emissions zone, implement a workplace charging levy hammering those businesses with parking spaces, and implement their controversial bus gates plans."