Council throw £4m down the plain as P & R expansion approved

In a heated meeting of Oxford City Council's West Area Planning Committee yesterday evening, it was decided (on the casting vote of the Labour Chair) to push ahead with the expansion of Seacourt Park and Ride onto the flood plain and green belt; a doubling of spaces at a cost of more than £4m. 

This was despite an admission that there was no current, proven demand for the additional spaces with Seacourt rarely being more than 80% full and nearby Park and Rides (Oxford Parkway and Redbridge) still having ample spare capacity.

Says Green Councillor Craig Simmons, who spoke at the meeting as an objector, "The Labour-run run Council are showing their true colours. They don't care about protecting the Green Belt, preventing flooding, improving air quality, tackling climate change or traffic congestion. They just want more parking. And, at a time of austerity, when the Council should be investing in sustainable transport, affordable housing and community facilities, they are wasting £4m on tarmac."

Councillor Craig Simmons has committed to 'calling-in' the decision to the Council's Planning Review Committee. 

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