Latest news with #SajMalik
Metro
a day ago
- Automotive
- Metro
Map shows where Oxford's congestion charge is proposed
Drivers in Oxford are bracing themselves for a London-style congestion charge zone if plans go ahead. The university city could soon charge drivers for entering six congestion hotspots in a bid to reduce traffic. Motorists would pay a £5 daily congestion charge to access the city centre, which will operate during peak traffic times. It aims to reduce traffic, making bus journeys faster and more reliable, allowing new bus routes, making cycling and walking safer and reducing air pollution, Oxford County Council said. However, the congestion zone would only run temporarily until the council can launch its camera-operated traffic filters in 2026. The council said traffic levels and congestion 'in and around Oxford are high.' Residents are asked to comment on the proposal as part of a consultation, which opens on June 23 for six weeks. If given the go-ahead, the Oxford zone would be the first one to launch in 20 years after congestion charges in London and Durham. The plan has been controversial from the start, with some locals fearing it could be bad for business. An anti-congestion charge petition spearheaded by independent councillor Saj Malik has reached almost 10,000 signatures. Local taxi driver Ansar Hussain, 52, said the charge is 'a bad idea.' 'They say it is an environmental measure, but eventually all vehicles will be hybrid anyway so I think they are just trying to cash in,' he said. 'Look at London. If I didn't have the cab, I wouldn't go to London because of ULEZ. If a passenger wants to go, it will be so expensive.' The Oxford Conservatives said: 'Many people rely on their cars and local Conservatives are calling on the Liberal Democrats to scrap these plans and stop penalising road users and local businesses, who will be hit hard by these changes.' The congestion charge would only apply to cars once a day. Community health and care workers, carers, Blue Badge holders and mobile traders can get a permit, allowing them to pass through the zone without paying the charge. Here are the charging points in operation every day of the week between 7am and 7pm: Hythe Bridge Street St Cross Road St Clements Street St Clements Street The following charging points will be operational Monday to Saturday between 7am-9pm and 3pm-6pm. Marston Ferry Road Hollow Way Meanwhile, Dan Roisier, 41, from Oxford and the owner of a bike-themed Peloton coffee shop, backed the idea. He said: 'I think people who are against it often don't live in the city. I mean, the Lib Dems got a majority on the council with those measures. 'I cycle to work. I don't like a city full of cars. But they should have invested more in public transport before bringing it in.' People reacted to the announcement on social media, and some were not impressed with the plan. Simon said: 'Fleecing cash strapped families who rely on cars.' Heather said: 'Ridiculous!' Will said: 'Shock! The consultation is just ticking a box. It will happen regardless you mark my words.' More Trending Richard wrote: 'Just get on with it!' The London congestion charge zone was launched in 2003 during Ken Livingstone's mayoralship. But it was Durham leading the way, with a congestion charge introduced in October 2002 – the first-ever in the UK. The London congestion charge, which applies in central London, is set to rise from £15 to £18 next year. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Ryanair plane from UK to Greece crashes on runway moments after landing MORE: Elizabeth line fare dodger caught red handed after evading £1,650 in tickets MORE: Passengers stuck on trains and platforms in sweltering heat after fire alarm
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans to transform Oxfam HQ into lab space
Plans have been submitted to turn Oxfam's headquarters into an office and lab space. GreyArc Investments Limited have applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to turn the building on John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park, Cowley into a life science or office facility and "create a significant number of job opportunities". The charity said it had signed the lease for a new workplace within the ground floor of a smaller building on the same site, to help reduce costs. Councillor Saj Malik, who represents Temple Cowley on the city council, has raised concerns about the knock-on effect of creating new science and tech jobs on the city's housing shortage. Oxfam's HQ moved to Oxford Business Park from Summertown in July 2005, and the building was sold to Sutton Council in 2016. It was put on the market for £60m in 2023 and sold to a private investor for £37.1m in April 2024. Oxfam's lease on the building ran out in March. Plans for the move include adding an extra floor to the building, as well as a gym and café area on the ground floor and a row of columns outside the building. This comes after the charity announced it was trying to save £10.2m in wages, and that 265 jobs were at risk of redundancy. According to the planning statement the proposal will "create a significant number of new job opportunities" and the plans would "positively contribute to Oxford's role as a leading hub for research and development and life sciences within the UK". It adds the building could be used by multiple tenants and connectivity to the business park would be improved by upcoming plans for the Cowley Branch Line. But Mr Malik said many Cowley residents felt "it's too much, too quickly and gentrification is being imposed on communities without thought of the impact". "While I fully encourage investment into Cowley, this kind of development often doesn't benefit the people who live here in terms of job opportunities," he said. "Already we have a shortage of housing in Oxford meaning teachers and nurses have to live elsewhere causing recruitment and retention difficulties." A spokesperson for Oxfam said they hope to move in July. "The new office space is smaller and will support us to reduce our costs," they added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Charity shop donated guitars fetch £12,000 at auction Oxfam GB puts 265 jobs at risk of redundancy Charity shop 'shocked' as Bible sells for £56,000 Charity volunteers write next chapter for bookshop Charity calls for second-hand festive party shopping Oxfam Oxford City Council
BBC News
02-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Oxfam HQ could be turned into lab space and office
Plans have been submitted to turn Oxfam's headquarters into an office and lab Investments Limited have applied to Oxford City Council for planning permission to turn the building on John Smith Drive, Oxford Business Park, Cowley into a life science or office facility and "create a significant number of job opportunities".The charity said it had signed the lease for a new workplace within the ground floor of a smaller building on the same site, to help reduce Saj Malik, who represents Temple Cowley on the city council, has raised concerns about the knock-on effect of creating new science and tech jobs on the city's housing shortage. Oxfam's HQ moved to Oxford Business Park from Summertown in July 2005, and the building was sold to Sutton Council in was put on the market for £60m in 2023 and sold to a private investor for £37.1m in April lease on the building ran out in for the move include adding an extra floor to the building, as well as a gym and café area on the ground floor and a row of columns outside the comes after the charity announced it was trying to save £10.2m in wages, and that 265 jobs were at risk of to the planning statement the proposal will "create a significant number of new job opportunities" and the plans would "positively contribute to Oxford's role as a leading hub for research and development and life sciences within the UK".It adds the building could be used by multiple tenants and connectivity to the business park would be improved by upcoming plans for the Cowley Branch Mr Malik said many Cowley residents felt "it's too much, too quickly and gentrification is being imposed on communities without thought of the impact"."While I fully encourage investment into Cowley, this kind of development often doesn't benefit the people who live here in terms of job opportunities," he said."Already we have a shortage of housing in Oxford meaning teachers and nurses have to live elsewhere causing recruitment and retention difficulties."A spokesperson for Oxfam said they hope to move in July. "The new office space is smaller and will support us to reduce our costs," they added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
08-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
LTNs and cycle lanes cost Oxfordshire County Council almost £4m
A local authority has spent millions of pounds on its contentious Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) scheme, a Freedom of Information request has 2021, Oxfordshire County Council has spent almost £4m combined on both its LTNs and its quickways cycling scheme in were first installed on six roads in east Oxford and Cowley in May 2022, and were made permanent in 2023 following an 18-month restrictions have proved controversial, with some hailing them as a "proven road safety measure", whilst others claimed they caused "misery on a daily basis". New figures obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service showed the council spent more than £3.8m on the installation and maintenance of both LTNs and quickways cycle routes in Oxford between 2021 and total includes £2.5m spent in 2022, which was the year the schemes were first the installation of the schemes was funded by central government, the council covers maintenance costs. 'Excellent value' Councillor Saj Malik, who represents Cowley on the county council, said the spending was "completely tone deaf"."We expect the county council to provide the services we pay for but then they tell us there's no money because they waste it on their pet projects like the LTNs," he said."In Cowley we're at the sharp end of these transport restrictions and they make our lives a misery on a daily basis."But Green Party councillor Emily Kerr said LTNs were a "proven road safety measure, cutting pedestrian accidents by around 85% inside and on the boundary roads"."Given the emotional and financial cost of car crashes, which can run into tens of thousands of pounds per collision, as well as the positive health impacts of the switch to walking and cycling, I think the annual cost to the council of £55,000 represents excellent value for money," she Oxfordshire County Council spokesperson added: "LTNs make residential streets healthier to live on and safer and more comfortable for walking, wheeling, and cycling." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
