Key Dates

You can apply for Permits right now. Full details on the scheme can be found at About the congestion charge | Oxfordshire County Council it is expected to last until Oxfordshire County Council can launch Oxford traffic filters  

Network Rail has confirmed Botley Road in Oxford will reopen to traffic on Sunday 20 September 2026. This follows additional work needed to replace part of the gas network beneath the road after three minor gas leaks were discovered during excavation works.

The road had previously been due to reopen at the end of August. Network Rail agreed to accommodate essential work by SGN to replace a section of ageing gas infrastructure alongside the completion of the remaining construction work. SGN’s work is due to finish on 8 August, after which Network Rail will complete the final stages of the project.

Councillor Gareth Epps, Cabinet Member for Transport, said: “Residents and businesses have endured the closure of Botley Road for far too long, so we welcome the clarity on reopening. We will now consider our programme for the traffic filter trial and will announce the start date at the earliest opportunity once we have absolute certainty.”

Network Rail has said it will continue to provide updates as work progresses towards the reopening date. Further information is available on the Network Rail website.

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Our traffic filter trial is due to begin on Monday 28 September, replacing the temporary congestion charge as part of efforts to reduce traffic and congestion in Oxford. The start date follows Network Rail’s revised programme to reopen Botley Road on 20 September.

The trial will operate in a similar way to the current congestion charge scheme, with traffic filters remaining at the same six locations and a permit scheme available. The trial will run under an experimental traffic regulation order and could remain in place for up to 18 months.

What's changing?

The main change is that drivers will no longer be able to pay the £5 congestion charge to travel through a traffic filter.

With Botley Road expected to reopen, all parts of Oxford will still be accessible by car at all times, although some journeys may require an alternative route that avoids a traffic filter.

What permit holders need to know

Most people who already have a congestion charge permit do not need to take any action. Existing permits will automatically transfer to traffic filter permits, with the start date updated to match the beginning of the trial.

Day pass allowances will also be reset automatically:

• Oxford residents: 100 day passes per year
• Oxfordshire residents: 25 day passes per year

We will contact all current permit holders before the trial starts with further information.

People who do not yet have a permit can apply online before the trial begins.

Please note: the start date of the traffic filter trial remains subject to Network Rail reopening Botley Road on 20 September.

More information about the traffic filter scheme is available on our website.

Government confirms three new unitary councils for Oxfordshire and West Berkshire in 2028

The new councils will be:

• Greater Oxford Council – covering Oxford and its immediate surroundings.
• Northern Oxfordshire Council – covering most of the existing Cherwell and West Oxfordshire districts.
• Ridgeway Council – covering most of the existing South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, combined with West Berkshire.

The full details of the three-unitary proposal can be found on 3councils.org