Oxford City Council leader slams plans for congestion charge
Motorists could face a £5 daily charge for driving through six streets in the city without a permit
The leader of Oxford City Council has slammed the county council’s proposals to introduce a temporary congestion charge to several roads in the city.
If approved, motorists could face a £5 daily charge for driving through six streets in the city without a permit.
Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet will discuss proposals to ease traffic in the city and will be asked to set up a consultation on introducing a congestion charge, at their meeting next Tuesday, (June 17).
The streets affected by the charge would be 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.
Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council said that scheme would allow people to “buy access to our streets” and that comparisons between Oxford and London were “unrealistic”.
She added that if a Greater Oxford Council is created under the government’s local government organisation plans, there would be a “full review of transport policies” for tackling congestion in the city.
In a statement, she said: “There has been no engagement with businesses, residents or the city council until today – yet again the city is being done to rather than engaged with in preparing transport proposals.
“We are concerned that this scheme allows people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets. Those who can’t will struggle.
“We believe that Oxford residents deserve clear proposals to deliver a cheaper, more comprehensive bus service in the city – not just vague promises of improvements.
“Any revenue from this scheme should be spent in the city on public transport.
“We also want to see further action on tackling the very real impact that private school traffic has on congestion in the city, with specific actions taken to reduce it.
“Comparisons made by the county council to London are unrealistic considering the variety of other public transport options available in London.
“We are not anywhere near there yet in Oxford.
“Doing nothing is not an option. We need a full review of transport policies with a view to tackling congestion in our city. This is something a Greater Oxford Council would do.”
Under local government reorganisation, Oxfordshire could be split into one, two or three unitary councils, which means each council would be responsible for all services rather than splitting them between the county and district councils.
The city council are backing the three-council option, which would involve creating a Greater Oxford with expanded boundaries.
When the congestion charge proposal was announced, councillor Andrew Gant, cabinet member for transport on the county council, said: “We urgently need to see improvements to travel around the city; better bus services and less traffic overall, to help people get around.
“We must take action for our residents, businesses and visitors while Botley Road remains closed and I look forward to discussing the options with cabinet colleagues.”
The county council faced pressure from Oxford Bus Group to come up with a ‘Plan B’ for dealing with traffic, after Network Rail announced that Botley Road was expected to reopen in August 2026, meaning the traffic filter trial would be pushed back.
The scheme could be introduced as early as this Autumn, and would be removed once the traffic filters are introduced.
If introduced, the congestion charge will be payable all year-round including bank holidays.
Only cars without a permit would be charged for driving through, and all other vehicles would be exempt.
Oxfordshire County Council were contacted for comment.