What we’re covering
Welcome to our ongoing coverage of the latest developments surrounding Oxfordshire County Council’s proposal to introduce a temporary £5 daily congestion charge on key Oxford roads to ease traffic while Botley Road remains closed until 2026.
Reporting by Ay Adeduro, Esme Keeney and Olivia Churchill.
Free Park & Ride travel announced as part of major Oxford bus network improvements
Oxford Bus Company has announced free travel across its Park & Ride network for three months as part of a series of major improvements to Oxford’s bus services.
Coinciding with a temporary congestion charge from 29 October, the initiative will enhance services citywide through the Oxfordshire Bus Enhanced Partnership.
Changes include more frequent routes, new stops, and improved links to hospitals and key destinations, with a new night service and extended timetables also benefiting passengers across Oxford and surrounding areas.
Community campaigner takes fight against Oxford congestion charge to Downing Street
Community campaigner Amir Steve Ali has taken his fight against Oxford’s congestion charge to 10 Downing Street, handing in a 2,000-signature petition and a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Oxfordshire County Council approved the £5 charge earlier this month, despite 74 per cent of consultation responses opposing it. Ali, a former MP candidate for Oxford East, said residents felt “cheated” and “ignored”. The scheme begins October 29, with exemptions for some groups, and will be replaced by traffic filters when Botley Road reopens.
Anneliese Dodds MP responds to Andrew Gant’s letter on Oxford congestion charge
Anneliese Dodds MP has responded to an open letter from Oxfordshire County Council’s transport chief, Andrew Gant, in the latest clash over Oxford’s congestion charge. The £5 scheme, set to begin October 29, has faced strong opposition.
Dodds, alongside Susan Brown and Liz Brighouse, criticised funding priorities and a lack of investment in cycling infrastructure, while rejecting Gant’s claims that Labour’s stance undermines pedestrian safety. The row underscores deep divisions over the impact and fairness of the controversial charge.
Oxford hospitals raise concerns over congestion charge impact
Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has raised concerns about the impact of Oxfordshire County Council’s newly approved congestion charge on staff and patients.
Acting CEO Simon Crowther said the scheme could impose a financial burden, noting that half of OUH’s staff commute by car, often from outside the ring road.
The trust is calling for a simplified permit system and improved transport links, while the county council maintains that hospitals will remain accessible without charges.
Oxford MP calls newly approved congestion charge as “extremely unfair”
Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds has condemned Oxfordshire County Council’s decision to introduce a £5 daily congestion charge, calling it “extremely unfair”. The temporary scheme, approved by the council’s cabinet, will apply to six city roads until Botley Road reopens in 2026.
Supporters argue it will cut congestion, speed up buses and improve safety, while business groups and some councillors warn of serious economic harm. The council expects to raise £3.2m in 10 months, ringfenced for transport improvements.
County council approves congestion charge for Oxford motorists
Oxfordshire County Council has approved a controversial £5 daily congestion charge for six Oxford roads, set to begin no later than 10 November 2025.
The scheme, backed by bus and active travel groups but opposed by businesses, schools and the city council, is expected to raise £3.2m annually for transport improvements.
While 74% of consultation respondents said the plan would negatively impact them, council leaders argue it will reduce traffic, improve bus services, and promote sustainable travel across Oxford.
Oxford action group threatens legal challenge to congestion charge
A newly formed group, Open Roads for Oxford, has threatened imminent legal action if Oxfordshire County Council approves a temporary congestion charge for the city. The £5 daily fee would apply on six roads without a permit or exemption. Business owners and residents say the scheme will damage trade and add unfair costs, while a petition opposing it has gathered more than 13,000 signatures. The council insists its cabinet will review the proposal before making a decision.
Congestion charge faces stronger opposition outside Oxford city
New data from Oxfordshire County Council’s consultation shows stronger opposition to the proposed £5 congestion charge in rural postcodes compared with the city. Overall, 74% of respondents said the scheme would negatively affect them. Opposition was highest in OX18, covering Carterton and Burford, with 93% against.
Within Oxford, support was higher, with 36% backing the scheme in OX1. Rural councillors voiced concerns over impacts on their communities, while the council expects to raise £3.2 million if approved.
Councillors call for rural bus funding from congestion charge income at scrutiny meeting
At a scrutiny meeting on August 10, Oxfordshire councillors raised concerns over a proposed £5 congestion charge on six Oxford roads. While the scheme aims to improve bus journey times, councillors argued it would disproportionately affect rural residents and deprived communities.
Recommendations included using income to improve rural bus services and subsidise fares for poorer areas. The proposal, estimated to raise £3.2 million in 10 months, will be decided by the county council cabinet on September 10.
Cowley locals fear disproportionate impact from Oxford congestion charge
Residents and businesses in Cowley have raised concerns that Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed congestion charge could disproportionately impact the area.
Hollow Way, a key Cowley road, would be subject to a £5 fee at peak times, prompting warnings from shop owner Niaz Ali about lost trade and longer customer journeys.
Councillor Saj Malik and MP Anneliese Dodds also voiced fears that the scheme would unfairly affect less well-off residents. The council said the plan aims to cut congestion and improve transport.
Campaigners say Oxford congestion charge survey was biased towards objectors
A pro-walking and cycling group has defended Oxfordshire County Council’s proposed £5 congestion charge, despite 74 per cent of consultation respondents opposing it. Robin Tucker, co-chair of CoHSAT, argued consultations were “biased towards objectors” and said the charge is the “best option” to reduce traffic.
The plan has backing from bus operators and cycling groups but strong opposition from businesses, schools, and over 13,500 petitioners. The final decision will be made by the council’s cabinet on September 10.
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