Have your say on temporary congestion charge for Oxford

Residents, businesses and organisations in Oxfordshire can share their views on a proposal for six temporary congestion charge locations for cars in Oxford, in a survey open until 3 August.

Oxfordshire County Council is unable to start its traffic filters trial until Botley Road reopens. In response to this delay, the proposal aims to reduce traffic and improve travel during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road.

The proposed temporary congestion charge is intended to improve bus services and make travel by car easier for those with permits, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and traders. Once Botley Road reopens, the council plans to implement the traffic filters trial and the temporary congestion charge would end.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “We believe the proposed temporary congestion charge could have a significant positive impact on people’s travel in and around the city by strengthening local bus services and reducing overall traffic. It’s our response to calls for urgent improvement from bus companies and others.

“I’d like to encourage residents to read through our proposal and tell us about how it might make a difference to them. I’m very keen to understand the impact of the scheme and also to see feedback on some of the details being outlined.”

Under the proposals, starting from autumn 2025, cars without a permit would pay a daily charge of £5 to pass through the six designated charge locations on Oxford roads. Cars with permits or day passes would be exempt from the charge, while all vehicles other than cars would also be able to pass through the locations at all times without being charged.

Traffic signs would clearly mark the locations of the charging cameras to make drivers aware of where the charges apply.

The scheme would make use of the existing infrastructure and back-office systems intended for traffic filters. Any surplus income from the proposed scheme would be used to fund travel improvements like cheaper bus tickets and parking at park and ride sites.

The county council is asking for people to share their views and give feedback on the level of charge, proposed permits, and priorities for improvements that could be funded by the scheme.

Feedback will help shape proposals that will be presented to the council’s cabinet in September, when it will make a decision on whether to introduce the scheme. If approved, the scheme could be in place later this year.

For more information and to provide your feedback, visit oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestionchargeconsultation.

Online question and answer events will be publicised and open to all. Paper copies of the survey are available at Oxfordshire libraries and from County Hall in Oxford.

The proposed scheme aims to:

• reduce traffic
• make bus journeys faster and more reliable
• allow for new and improved bus routes
• make walking and cycling safer
• reduce local air pollution
• improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

More information is available on the council’s website

Permits

The temporary congestion charge would only apply to cars. All other vehicles would not need to pay a charge and would not need a permit.   

Permits would be available for certain groups, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders - exactly the same as for the planned traffic filters trial - allowing them to pass through the charge locations without incurring a charge. 

A new central permit area would be created (zoom in to the purple area within the light blue area on the map). Permits would be available for residents, their visitors and commuters in this central area where car drivers would have no option but to pass through a charge location.

As with the planned traffic filters trial, residents in the wider Oxford permit area would be eligible for 100 day passes each year, while residents in the Oxfordshire permit area for 25 day passes each year, allowing for free travel through the charge locations on residents’ chosen days. Each day pass would allow travel through all six charge locations as many times as you like on that day. 

All permits would be free and valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise.

Without a permit, car drivers could choose an alternative route or pay the daily charge.

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