Image by Mark Robbins

Oxfordshire County Council have published a consultation on proposals to introduce a temporary congestion charge for Oxford, to help manage traffic while the delayed traffic filters are on hold until 2026. The deadline is 3 August.

The scheme could reduce city centre traffic by 20% –  and by up to 50% on key roads like Marston Ferry and Hollow Way – as well as generating income to pay for better and cheaper bus services.

Some key points:

• The proposed Congestion Charge (£5) would be payable for anyone in a car (not any other type of vehicle) passing the ANPR cameras at certain times of the day unless the driver has used a ‘pass’ or is exempt from the charge.
• The scheme will operate with the same principles as the proposed filters; Oxford residents would be eligible for 100 day passes each year, while Oxfordshire residents would be eligible for 25 day passes each year, allowing free travel through the charge locations (as many times as needed) on a given day. 
• Permits would be available for certain groups including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders – exactly the same as for the planned traffic filters trial – allowing them to pass through the charge locations without incurring a charge.

Oxfordshire Liveable Streets (OLS) and the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) have produced a helpful guide to explain the issues and suggest how you might respond. Access the guide here. The Board of LCON believe the overall impact of the proposed scheme will be extremely positive. Reducing car traffic will cut congestion, pollution and carbon emissions, delivering better, more reliable journeys for everyone, cleaner air, safer streets, and more choice – especially for those on lower incomes. We would encourage respondents to tick ‘very positive’ in response to question 10 in particular (in line with the guidance from OLS and CoHSAT).

Help shape a fairer, faster, healthier Oxford. Thank you.