Travel groups sign letter backing congestion charge

Bus companies, taxi operators and cyclists are among those who have jointly signed a letter in support of a proposed temporary congestion charge in Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council said action was needed to reduce traffic in the city.

Representatives from Oxford Bus Company, Stagecoach West, City of Oxford Licensed Taxicab Association, and the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel (CoHSAT) are among those who signed the letter being submitted to the council.

But thousands have signed a petition in opposition, saying it will badly affect residents and businesses "already struggling" because of the closure of Botley Road and the introduction of Low Traffic Neighbourhoods.

The £5 charge will apply to car drivers only, with permits available for carers, traders, blue badge holders and those commuting to or living in a central area of the city.

The county council said it made the proposal because of delays to a planned trial of traffic filters, which cannot be introduced until Botley Road is reopened.

The charging points for the congestion zone will be in the same places as the planned traffic filters in Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement's Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.

A six-week consultation is currently under way.

Luke Marion, of Oxford Bus Company, told the BBC: "Oxford's has had enough of the congestion hell, it is time to make a change, and some radical bold moves... we're all united that a congestion charge is the right thing for Oxford at the moment and we want the council to go ahead and implement it."

He added: "The vast majority of people won't see their journeys affected.

"We are looking to see a change in traffic levels of between 15% and 20%, which is kind of the level we saw during the third lockdown."

He said the funding raised - about £3.7m a year - would be ringfenced for transport schemes, and he hoped it would go towards providing free park and ride bus travel.

Robin Tucker, co-chair of CoHSAT, said: "After more than a decade of intense congestion, we need to unblock Oxford and free up the streets for transport that works for everyone.

"The alternatives are in place, but the change will only happen when we nudge people away from space-hungry cars towards more efficient modes, which is why we support the temporary congestion charge."

Oxfordshire Liveable Streets, Oxford Pedestrians Association, Co Wheels, and Velocity Cycle Couriers also signed the document at Stagecoach West's Oxford depot on Friday.

But Emily Scaysbrook, spokesperson for Oxford Business Action Group and owner of games shop Hoyle's of Oxford, said: "It's worth having a healthy cynicism of the groups and individuals in favour of a scheme like this who stand to materially benefit from it.

"We believe they're calling it a congestion charge because it sounds better than what it is, which is a toll.

"It's a regressive scheme, it's not fair, it will impact the most vulnerable and the lowest incomes while those who either have exemptions and/or who can afford to go through them will continue to do so and nothing about their lives will change."

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.