Florence Pugh’s father blasts low traffic neighbourhood scheme as he loses his bar

The father of Hollywood star Florence Pugh has criticised Oxford’s low-traffic neighbourhood scheme which he said hit his finances hard, with his bar being repossessed.

Clinton Pugh, who owns businesses in Cowley Road, has criticised the East Oxford LTN which was introduced as a trial in May 2022 by Oxfordshire County Council.

It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak orders a review into the rollout of LTNs, saying he is on the side of drivers.

Mr Pugh, whose famous daughter is currently starring in the blockbuster Oppenheimer, blasted the East Oxford scheme as “really stupid” and those behind it “dictators”.

As part of LTNs, bollards prevent motorised traffic from taking shortcuts through a residential area, according to the council.

“This creates quieter and safer streets where residents may feel more comfortable when making local journeys by cycling, wheeling or on foot,” the council said.

“All roads remain accessible, but drivers may have to find alternative routes instead of cutting through some streets.”

But Mr Pugh, who has been in the area for 31 years, told Sky News: “It has become more difficult to get here, people just don’t come.

“You can’t get staff, they can’t get home or they have to have taxis. The cost of these things is just astronomical and people don’t want to work.

“Tradesmen can’t come because it takes too long to get here.”

Speaking about his woes surrounding his business Cafe Tarifa, he said: “The losses have been so high that I have lost a site.”

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He questioned why the council did not introduce the scheme more “sympathetically” by closing every third road “just to see how it goes”.

Mr Pugh added: “Why do it all at once? It’s just not thought through properly, it’s really stupid.

“They are acting like they are dictators. This is the problem. It’s their idea. They’ve asked us for our opinion and they are not listening.”

During the last several weeks, the council has been asking for feedback on the impact of the LTNs since new bollards were introduced in March.

It also said: “The east Oxford LTNs were consulted on between March and June 2021, through a series of workshops, engagement activities and a public consultation in June 2021.”

Mr Sunak said in an interview with the Sunday Telegraph he had ordered the Department for Transport to look again at LTN policies, which aim to make residential areas cleaner and safer places for pedestrians.

Labour has accused the PM of reversing the Conservatives’ own acceleration of LTNs across the country, and said it should be for local communities to decide.