‘Congestion charge shows why there needs to be a Greater Oxford authority’, says local MP
Oxford congestion charge was approved last week by Oxfordshire County Council
Last updated 17th Sep 2025
A local Labour MP says the decision to approve the Oxford’s congestion charge shows why there needs to be a new authority representing people's views in the city.
It's as the Government will reform local council boundaries under devolution plans which is aimed to try deliver better public services.
Full proposals for the devolution plans are expected to be submitted by November 28th.
Last week, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet, run by the Liberal Democrats, approved the scheme to temporarily charge drivers a £5 daily charge for driving through six roads in the city unless they have a permit or exemption.
The consultation process shown a total of 74% of those who responded said the scheme would have a negative impact.
Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East says there needs to be a Greater Oxford authority because “it's really important that people who live in our city have more say over our city”.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Ms Dodds said: “We've just had some elections where the congestion charge wasn't mentioned at all. The Liberal Democrats didn't say they were going to impose a congestion if they won those elections.
“Yet this is happening and I think lots of local people just feel like they've been cut out of decision making here.
“For me, I have to say this is yet another reason why it wouldn't be a good idea for us to have Oxfordshire running everything.
“I think this actually points to the need for Greater Oxford to have more control over things ourselves so that we can take decisions on these kinds of issues.”
She added: “The absolute pits would be if we just had one Oxfordshire. We've already seen with transport decision making how the city unfortunately hasn't been listened to.
“I really do worry about what would happen if we had Oxfordshire controlling everything.”
Responding to Anneliese Dodds MP, Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management said: "Labour politicians seem to think that the rest of Oxfordshire outside the city doesn't matter. And they don't seem to understand that transport moves: less congestion and better buses benefit everyone.
"That's exactly what our policy achieves, alongside a huge swathe of other benefits including cleaner air and safer streets. It is utterly bizarre that any elected politicians would come out against those things. But that is what Labour have done. It's very sad'."
He added: “The temporary congestion charge will reduce traffic in and around Oxford, to provide the faster, cheaper and more reliable buses, and improved walking and cycling infrastructure that people want.
"Reducing traffic will allow buses to operate far more efficiently in the city, allowing existing routes to be improved, and new routes to be added.
“More than half of the 7,165 responses that the council listened to during the recent six-week consultation were from residents of Oxford. The council analysed responses carefully and changes were made to the scheme as a result of feedback.”