Oxford introduces complimentary park-and-ride time and additional permits as part of its provisional congestion fee plan, aiming to alleviate traffic issues.
Oxfordshire County Council has published updates to its proposed temporary congestion charge for Oxford, aiming to balance short-term congestion relief with affordability and access. The scheme, if approved, could start as early as autumn 2025.
A six-week public consultation, which ran from 23 June to 3 August, garnered responses from 7,165 people. Concerns centered on effectiveness, business impact, and fairness, but respondents also voiced support for the scheme's potential to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and enhance public transport.
The daily charge, previously consulted on at Β£5, will grant unlimited same-day access through six charging points enforced by ANPR. The temporary charge will apply only to cars and not to vans, buses, or HGVs. Any surplus income from the temporary charge will be reinvested in transport, including cheaper bus and park-and-ride tickets.
The scheme is intended to cut traffic, improve bus reliability, and make it easier for certain groups (carers, traders, Blue Badge holders) to travel by car. The council is considering extra permit categories for ice hockey clubs, business cars, and defined circumstances. Officers are recommending free park-and-ride journeys for an initial two-month period, covering the busy Christmas season.
Cllr Andrew Gant thanked "the thousands of people" who provided detailed feedback. The changes will be considered by the Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 27 August and a cabinet decision on 10 September.
Modelling suggests notable reductions in city-centre traffic during the Botley Road closure compared with a no-scheme scenario. The innovative congestion reduction initiatives and road user charging schemes will be recognized at the fourth annual CiTTi Awards on 25 November 2025.
It's important to note that the institutions involved in the public consultation on the temporary vehicle control fee in Oxford include Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council, with the next cabinet decision scheduled for October 2025. For more information about the CiTTi Awards, visit www.cittiawards.co.uk.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
