Oxford moves ahead with next phase of congestion charge plans

Oxfordshire County Council has launched a public consultation ahead of its plans to introduce a temporary car congestion charge before the end of autumn.

The council met earlier this week to decide whether to move forward with a consultation or not and now the next phase is to collect feedback over the next six weeks.

Oxfordshire County Council wants to tackle air quality and the growing problem of congestion within the city, with a target of 20% reduction in traffic for the city centre and as much as a 50% reduction in particular hotspots (Hollow Way and Marston Ferry Road).

In what it describes as a phased approach, the congestion charge will be put in place while it waits to put in place new traffic filters next year.

The traffic filters limit through-traffic along a small section of a road when travelling by certain modes of transport.

However, the six traffic filters being deployed by the council can’t go live due to a major road closure related to Network Rail upgrades to Oxford Station, which are due to be completed in August 2026.

An expanded Zero Emissions Zone (ZEZ) would then follow in September 2027. 

Car fleets should prepare to pay congestion charge

A daily charge of £5 would allow cars without a permit to go through six planned congestion charge locations on roads in Oxford.

Electric cars will still have to pay the congestion charge, as Oxfordshire County Council has said this is about reducing the number of vehicles, rather than specifically targeting air quality, which is something the ZEZ is looking to tackle.

The council has confirmed that the congestion charge, and then eventually the traffic filter system will be run independently of the ZEZ, but both will run at the same time from September 2027 onwards.

Payments will be able to be made online or over the phone.

All other vehicles, including vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) would be able to go through at all times without paying the charge.

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.

The scheme would be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at the congestion charge locations.

The council said 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.

Fleets can share their views on the idea of a temporary congestion charge at letstalk.oxfordshire.gov.uk/congestion-charge.

Cllr Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, urged businesses, as well as residents and visitors to share their views on the proposals.

He said: “I’m pleased that we’re continuing to consult 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.

The congestion charge consultation will gather feedback on the proposed scheme's impact and details.

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.

Congestion charge locations

The congestion charge locations would be exactly the same as the planned traffic filters.