Congestion charge plans to go to public consultation
Oxfordshire County Council voted to approve a 6-week consultation
Oxfordshire County Council has rubber-stamped plans to hold a consultation on contentious proposals to introduce a £5 congestion charge for several roads in Oxford.
The cabinet unanimously voted to approve a 6-week consultation on introducing a temporary congestion charge at their meeting (Tuesday, June 17).
A total of 20 public speakers voiced their opinions on the scheme at the meeting.
Councillor David Henwood said: “Congestion in Oxford is a problem of your own making.
“This charge will not fix congestion, it will punish residents trying to get to work, school, the doctor or dentist.
“It will damage businesses who are already struggling and all the while ignoring the real cause of congestion – the Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.
“Stop making decisions in isolation and listen to Oxford.”
Business owners Jeremy Mogford and Emily Scaysbrook and Labour city councillor Lubna Arshad were among those who also spoke against the scheme.
Ian Loader, chair of cycling campaign group Cyclox, said: “We urge the council to take bold steps to make the city safe for cyclists, bus users and pedestrians. That means reducing levels of road traffic.
“Achieving this will also make it easier to get around this city for those who livelihoods and lives do depend on driving.
“The status quo is not an option. If nothing is done the city will grind to a halt.”
Several speakers, including Mr Loader, councillor Emily Kerr and councillor Emma Garnett, called for larger vehicles to be charged more.
The managing director of Oxford Bus Group, Luke Marion, and Stagecoach West, Chris Hanson, as well as representatives from Oxfordshire Liveable Streets and Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) also spoke in support of the measures.
Councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management said: “There have been people who have characterised this scheme as a charge to drive in and out of Oxford.
“It is not that. It is almost in all cases perfectly possible to drive to a destination in Oxford without passing a filter, and many of those who do would be eligible for permits.”
He added that he looked forward to engaging with the consultation.
All cabinet members present at the meeting voted in favour of introducing the consultation.
Only one of the 10 cabinet members involved in making the decision, councillor Gant, lives within the city’s ring road.
The consultation will begin next Monday, (June 23).
The cabinet is expected to make the final decision on whether the scheme goes ahead at their meeting in September, and the scheme could come into effect as soon as autumn.
The roads that would be affected by the congestion charge are Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, Thames Street and St. Clement’s Street every day from 7am to 7pm, as well as Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way Monday to Saturday from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm.
A number of permits and exemptions would apply, including for Blue Badge holders and emergency vehicles.
Residents within the Oxford permit area, which covers the city and surrounding areas, will be able to apply for up to 100 permits in a year.