内容摘要：Aldwyth Bates, founder of Powys Animal Welfare charity, said she first became aware of the issue when a number of "distressed" members of the public started getting in touch saying their cats had gone missing.

Aldwyth Bates, founder of Powys Animal Welfare charity, said she first became aware of the issue when a number of "distressed" members of the public started getting in touch saying their cats had gone missing.

A petition set up by hairdresser Jenny Wells, open only to plumbers, carers, decorators and other mobile traders, amassed more than 500 signatures.Introduced in 2023, the LTN schemes prevent traffic taking shortcuts through residential areas, and are intended to make streets safer for walking and cycling.

Oxfordshire County Council said it would only relax LTN restrictions if "no alternative route was available".Bernadette Evans, a spokesperson for Oxford Business Action Group, said it was "really disappointing" that the council was not prepared to consider opening up key LTNs in the event of a major incident.She said accidents on the A34 and Eastern Bypass had led to "literally thousands of people have their lives turned upside down unnecessarily".

"Hospital appointments missed, people hours late to work, children waiting to be picked up from school and nursery, sports clubs missed, restaurants empty because it takes too long to get there and customers cancel," she added.Delivering her petition to a full Oxfordshire County Council meeting last month, Ms Wells said the local authority should "ask people in the areas, not just have a blanket ban".

"A lot of traders have stopped trading in Oxford because they cannot deal with the traffic," she added.

The council said the existing policy meant LTNs could be opened if requested by emergency services during severe flooding when communities were cut off from major roads.As part of the role, Wales' future generations commissioner writes a progress report every five years, to be published a year before a Senedd election.

It provides advice on the actions required to protect the Welsh citizens of today as well as "those yet to be born", Mr Walker explained.While pointing to successes such as

and investment in sustainable transport, he warned of "significant" challenges., with 1 in 6 species currently facing extinction from Wales.