Petrol, diesel and electric car owners will be slapped with a £5 daily charge to drive in one of the UK’S most popular cities, with a new charge set to be introduced. Officials at Oxford County Council backed the update at a meeting on Wednesday, with the new system set to come into effect later this Autumn.
The new fees will charge drivers £5 to pass through six charging locations on roads across the city of Oxford. Officials confirmed that the scheme is designed to reduce congestion in Oxford with zero exemptions in place for electric vehicles. Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management stressed the temporary fee would also fund improvements to local services.
He said: “Oxford needs a more sustainable, reliable and inclusive transport system for everyone. People have told us they want quicker journeys, more reliable bus services, and safer cycling and walking. In order to achieve that we need to reduce the number of cars on our roads. That is what the temporary congestion charge is set to achieve.”
Oxford County Council has confirmed the fees will be payable at six locations across the city including Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clements Street and Thames Street between Monday and Sunday from 7am to 7pm.
Restrictions at Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way will run between Monday and Saturday in two time periods, 7am to 9am and between 3pm and 6pm.
The new temporary congestion charge fee is set to be payable all year round, including across any bank holidays. The council has confirmed that the new congestion charge fee will only apply to cars with other vehicles not needing to pay.
Permits will also be made available for certain groups, which will then become exempt from the charges. This will include community health and care workers, carers, blue badge holders, and mobile traders.
Officials have also explained that a new central permit area will be created with free permits available for residents, visitors and commuters.
Cllr Gant added: “I’d like to thank everyone who responded to the recent consultation and previous consultations on the traffic filters scheme on which the temporary congestion charge is based.
“All of the comments have been considered by officers and helped inform the final proposals. We will continue to listen to people’s views and report on how the temporary scheme performs.”