Oxford zero emission zone postponed

Implementation of a zero emission zone in central Oxford has been postponed because of Covid-19. Oxford and Oxfordshire councils had planned to launch the zone in December, despite opposition from freight bodies (LTT 10 Jan). A consultation has been halted and will restart towards the end of the year. The councils are targetting implementation next summer. “Amid the current situation with coronavirus and with the Government acknowledging an economic crisis, both councils recognise that businesses and residents across the city need to focus all of their attention on managing the current and potential impacts on their trade and way of life,” said the councils. They said they remained “wholly committed” to the scheme. The city council has just received £150,000 from the Government for a mobile automatic numberplate recognition system to enforce the zone.