Local MP slams Oxford congestion charge approval
Oxfordshire County Council are aiming to introduce the scheme by the 10th of November
A local MP has slammed the decision to approve a congestion charge in Oxford and how they’ve not listened to local residents’ views.
Motorists will face a £5 daily charge for driving through six roads in the city unless they have a permit or exemption.
The temporary scheme was approved unanimously yesterday by all 10 members of the cabinet at their meeting on Wednesday.
The county council want the scheme to be introduced no later than November 10, but new campaign group ‘Open Roads for Oxford’ said they will launch a legal challenge against the council to try to stop the scheme from going ahead.
Anneliese Dodds, Labour MP for Oxford East, said it was “extremely unfair” that much of the money generated from the scheme would go towards subsidising park and ride fares.
Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, Ms Dodds said: “I did say to the County Council before they started their consultation that they needed to really listen to what came out of it.
“I asked them, ‘if that consultation shows that people don't want this, will you still go ahead?’ and they said to me, effectively, yes. That is exactly what's happened”.
Ms Dodds says she finds it frustrating that “they've gone ahead with something that they didn't ask local people about first, and I just think there's a big democratic problem with that.”
The Oxford East MP also said: “The consultation showed that the most popular use of monies from the charge was to reduce the cost of bus travel for all, and not just car drivers from outside Oxford.
“Oxford is not London – because our geography and also because our public transport isn’t up to London’s standard.
“The county should have focused on improving public transport and other measures in the city instead of this kneejerk scheme.”
The scheme aims to reduce traffic in the short term until Botley Road reopens, when the traffic filters can be introduced.
Cllr Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “Oxford needs a more sustainable, reliable and inclusive transport system for everyone. People have told us they want quicker journeys, more reliable bus services, and safer cycling and walking. In order to achieve that we need to reduce the number of cars on our roads. That is what the temporary congestion charge is set to achieve.”
“I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the recent consultation and previous consultations on the traffic filters scheme on which the temporary congestion charge is based. All of the comments have been considered by officers and helped inform the final proposals. We will continue to listen to people’s views and report on how the temporary scheme performs.”