Oxford temporary congestion charge for cars

We are asking for your views on six temporary congestion charge locations for cars in Oxford.

The temporary congestion charge is being proposed to reduce traffic around Oxford during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road. When Botley Road reopens, we will be able to introduce the traffic filters trial as planned and the temporary congestion charge would end.

The scheme is designed to improve bus services and make it easier for those with permits, including community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders and traders, to travel by car into and around the city.

Your feedback will help shape the proposals and help councillors make an informed decision about the temporary charge.

You can complete the survey using the TAKE SURVEY button at the bottom of this page.

How would it work?

• From autumn 2025, a daily charge of £5 would allow cars without a permit to go through six charge locations on roads in Oxford until the end of the day
• All other vehicles would be able to go through at all times without paying the charge
• Cars with a permit or day pass would be able to pass the charge locations free of charge. Links to details of available permits are in the documents section on the right hand side of this page.
• Traffic signs would mark the locations of the charging cameras
• The scheme would be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at the listed congestion charge locations.

Why are we proposing this and what would it achieve?

The objectives of the scheme are the same as for traffic filters. The scheme aims to:

• reduce traffic
• make bus journeys faster and more reliable
• allow for new and improved bus routes
• make walking and cycling safer
• reduce local air pollution
• improve the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Where would the congestion charge locations be?

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

The temporary congestion charge would be payable all year round, including bank holidays.

Where would the income go?

Income generated by the temporary congestion charge would be used to cover the cost of setting up and operating the scheme. Any money in addition to this would be used towards discounted park and ride services and improved bus services.

This could include:

• free or discounted parking at park and ride sites
• discounted bus and park and ride fares
• improved bus services.

Any surplus income may be used for other transport schemes. By law, we can only use the income for transport – it can’t be spent on anything else.

How would I pay the charge?

The charge would be payable online by midnight on the day after you drive through one of the six congestion charge locations. If you can’t pay online, you’ll be able to pay by phone.

How long would the scheme be in place?

We’re proposing this scheme because the ongoing closure of Botley Road means we can’t yet implement our traffic filters trial. After Botley Road reopens, expected to be end of August 2026, we should be able to introduce the traffic filters trial, but this may not happen immediately.

If approved, the temporary congestion charge scheme would be in place for no longer than two years.

Permits for cars

The temporary congestion charge would only apply to cars. All other vehicles would not need to pay a charge and would not need a permit.

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.

For this scheme, a new central permit area would be created. Permits would be available for residents, their visitors and commuters in this central area where car drivers would have no option but to pass through a charge location.

Use this link to a zoomable map of the permit areas with the new central permit area shown in purple: Traffic Permit Areas. See more information about permits in the links at the right hand side of this page.

We are asking for your feedback on these additional permit types at questions five and six of the survey below.

As with the planned traffic filters trial, residents in the wider Oxford permit area would be eligible for 100 day passes each year, while residents in the Oxfordshire permit area would be eligible for 25 day passes each year, allowing free travel through the charge locations on days of your choice. Each day pass would allow you to drive through all six charge locations as many times as you like on that day.

All permits would be free and valid for 12 months unless stated otherwise.

Without a permit, car drivers could choose an alternative route or pay the daily charge.

Have your say

Please take the time to read the information available and complete the survey, as your views and opinions matter. Your response should be submitted by 11:59pm  on Sunday 3 August 2025.

What happens next?

The county council will review the responses and prepare a report to be presented to the council’s cabinet in September 2025. This will be a public meeting at which members of the public can apply to speak. The agenda and reports for meetings will be made available on the Oxfordshire County Council website about a week before the meeting.

Documents
On the right hand side of this page are documents with more information including details of proposed permits and permit areas, and answers to some questions you may have in an FAQ format. FAQs may be added to during the survey period.

You will also find information about traffic modelling and impact assessments associated with the proposed scheme.

Your information

This survey is being hosted by Oxfordshire County Council.

Under the Data Protection Act 2018, we (Oxfordshire County Council) have a legal duty to protect any personal information we collect from you. View Oxfordshire County Council’s privacy notice online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk - search for ‘privacy notice’.

An external research agency may be asked to analyse the survey responses and provide us with an independent report. No individuals will be identified in the report.

Generally however, we ask that you avoid sharing names in any of your responses to protect confidentiality.

Data protection: The Data Protection Act - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)