Residents, businesses and organisations will be able to share their views on a proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge, as part of a public consultation starting next week, Monday 23 June, for six weeks. Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet approved the engagement process yesterday, 17 June.
The proposed scheme would 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 the city. This follows the council’s commitment to addressing congestion in the short-term, after its plan to implement six trial traffic filters was postponed due to the ongoing closure of Botley Road, now expected to reopen in August 2026.
Subject to cabinet approval following consultation, the scheme is expected to start in autumn 2025. The scheme would remain in place until the introduction of the traffic filters trial once Botley Road reopens. This is expected to be August 2026. The maximum time the congestion charge scheme could be in place as a temporary measure would be two years.
Cllr Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said:
“I’m looking forward to hearing what residents, businesses and visitors have to say about the proposal for temporary congestion charging points while Botley Road remains closed.
“I’m pleased that we’re continuing to consultation on this scheme that could have a significant positive impact on people’s travel in and around the city. We must do all we can to improve bus services and reduce overall traffic, to help people get around.”
The council has been exploring ways to reduce traffic congestion until the traffic filters trial can start. In this proposal, the charge locations would be exactly the same as the trial traffic filter points. The scheme could make use of the existing infrastructure and back-office systems intended for traffic filters. Any surplus income from the proposed scheme could be used to fund travel improvements like cheaper bus tickets and parking at park and ride sites.
The consultation will gather feedback on the proposed scheme’s impact and details. It will include a survey on the council’s digital engagement and consultation platform, Let’s talk Oxfordshire. Paper copies of information will be available in main libraries and at County Hall. A series of online information and Q&A events for the public will take place.
After the six-week consultation period, a report will be presented to the council’s cabinet for consideration. The council’s cabinet will make a decision at a meeting in September on whether to implement the scheme. If approved, the scheme would be implemented later in the autumn.
