A temporary congestion charge for cars at six locations in Oxford will begin later this autumn. The decision was made by the county council’s cabinet at a meeting yesterday.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic in the short term while Botley Road remains closed, preventing the start of the traffic filter trial. It is designed to improve bus services and make it easier for those with permits, including carers, traders and blue badge holders, to travel by car into and around Oxford.
A six-week consultation took place on the proposals from 23 June to 3 August, which received over 7000 responses. Feedback from the consultation helped shape the final proposals presented to cabinet.
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.”
A daily charge of £5 will allow cars without a permit to go through six charge locations on roads in Oxford. This will apply from late autumn when it is expected the scheme will launch. The council aims to have the scheme in place by 10 November.
Permits will be available for certain groups, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders.
Following the public consultation in the summer, two new permit types were added to the scheme, allowing free travel for regular users of Oxford Ice Rink and for pool cars owned and operated by businesses or organisations in the Oxford permit area.
(Pic: Oxfordshire County Council)
