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Temporary congestion charge considered for city

Bethan Nimmo & Marcus White
BBC News, Oxford
BBC Cars queue at traffic lights on Hythe Bridge Street in Oxford. BBC
Hythe Bridge Street would be one of six charging points

Car drivers could be forced to pay a £5 temporary congestion charge to access a city centre.

Oxfordshire County Council said it was considering setting up a two-year scheme in Oxford from the autumn.

It said action was needed due to traffic issues caused by the long-term closure of Botley Road for works.

However, Oxford City Council leader Susan Brown said the proposal would "allow people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets".

Paying the £5 charge, which would only apply to cars, would allow drivers to go through the six charge locations until the end of the day.

Permits would be available for carers, traders, blue badge holders and those commuting to or living in a central area of the city.

The county council said action was needed because of delays to a planned trial of traffic filters, which cannot be introduced until Botley Road is reopened.

The route is currently shut because of overrunning works at Oxford Station and the railway bridge, which are now not due to finish until August next year.

The charging points for the congestion zone would be in the same places as the planned traffic filters:

  • Hythe Bridge Street
  • St Cross Road
  • St Clement's Street
  • Thames Street
  • Marston Ferry Road
  • Hollow Way
A dark grey bus is seen on a road near the Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford.
Oxford Bus Group warned that congestion was at "emergency levels" in the city

Andrew Gant, in charge of transport for the Liberal Democrat-run 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."

However, Oxford City Council said there has been no previous consultation on the plan.

Labour leader Susan Brown said: "Yet again the city is being done to rather than engaged with in preparing transport proposals.

"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."

Previously Oxford Bus Group warned that congestion was at "emergency levels".

The proposals will be discussed by the council's cabinet on 17 June and, if approved, a six-week public consultation would start later this month.

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