Council faces criticism over 'hidden' congestion charge signs in Oxford
The congestion charge scheme is set to begin this Wednesday in Oxford
Oxfordshire County Council has come under fire after a number of congestion charge signs were ‘hidden’ behind overgrown hedges.
One councillor said it was “utterly daft” the signs had been placed behind large trees, foliage, scaffolding or other signs, out of view from oncoming drivers.
The £5 congestion charge will affect several roads in the city during specific hours, and will begin this Wednesday (October 29).
While hedge cutting is usually the responsibility of the landowner, the county council can intervene if there is a significant safety hazard.
The council say that they have arranged for the vegetation to be cleared before the congestion charge starts.
Richard Parnham, of Reconnecting Oxford, said: “Many people living in Oxford and beyond haven’t properly been alerted to the congestion charge scheme.
“It’s therefore essential that proper warning is given to road users, many of whom – especially those visiting the city over the Christmas period – won’t have a clue where the filter points are.
“And yet, in a way that is typical of the way this whole rushed scheme has been introduced.
“We’ve seen congestion charge signs put up directly behind other signs, and hidden behind trees and bushes all over the city.
“The signs aren’t lit either, and are often very high up on poles – too high to catch in car headlights once its dark.
“Someone needs to be held accountable for this shambles, urgently.”
Labour city councillor Simon Ottino said: “The county is failing in its duty if it allows the view of any of its road signs to be obstructed by overhanging branches and it is utterly daft if it puts a new sign up in a position where a view of it is obstructed by branches.
“The county council has a history in this matter, in that, despite claiming to promote active travel, it neglects the maintenance of segregated cycle and footpaths, so that they are either often blocked by their own overgrown hedges or they fail to enforce action against landowners whose hedges obstruct cycle and footpaths.
“The county needs to put more money into maintaining the cycle and footpaths and the road signs that they already own.”
Councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport management, said: “An officer audit of signage for the Oxford temporary congestion charge has been completed, and contractors are currently arranging clearance works.
“Out of approximately 90 sign locations, six have been identified as partially obstructed from a driver’s point of view.
“These are being prioritised to ensure visibility is restored ahead of the scheme’s commencement next Wednesday.
“The council will maintain clear and compliant signage throughout the life of the scheme.
“The design of signs for the congestion charge scheme is guided by national regulations, including the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, which set out when and where illumination is required.”
The county council faced criticism in the past for reducing its grass verge cuts to once a year, with Oxford City Council funding its own verge cuts.
In July, a group of residents cut the hedge on Old Road themselves due to a lack of action from the county council and the landowner.