A UK council is facing anger at a controversial congestion charge scheme just days after it was officially launched. Liberal Democrat-run Oxfordshire City Council are set to introduce a daily charge of £5 for driving on selected roads in Oxford this week, but it is already facing major backlash. Councillors on the local authority have proposed a motion against the scheme at next week’s meeting, arguing that it is “unfair, harmful to the local economy and does not have public support”.
The motion, which will be debated less than a week after the first driver is charged, calls for the scheme to be immediately brought to an end, with no similar measures implemented “without full public consultation and support”. The congestion charge, which can also incur £70 fines for those not following the rules, was passed by 10 cabinet members who described it as “an important milestone in delivering a cleaner, more accessible Oxford”.
It applies to cars travelling on St Cross Road, St Clements, Hollow Way and Marston Ferry Road.
Independent Oxford Alliance councillor David Henwood, who put forward the motion, suggested a public council debate should have been held before the scheme was put into effect.
He also told the Oxford Mail that while the vote would have “no bearing” on the future of the congestion charge measures, it would show “that not all councillors are in favour”.
“Even if it goes ahead, it’s right that we have the debate on it,” Mr Henwood said. “It provides them an opportunity to voice their concerns with the scheme and hopefully the administration will listen.”
Campaign group Open Roads for Oxford has also threatened to take legal action against the scheme, alleging that public consultation responses were not properly taken into account.
“The consultation was rushed and not well publicised, the results effectively ignored and we believe the decision predetermined,” one organiser said.
“This is a fight for the future of Oxford. If we act now, we can stop these punitive schemes from going ahead. Together, we can protect our city’s economy, culture and community from irreversible harm.”
Council leader Liz Leffman said: “The congestion charge is part of a range of measures to deliver [benefits such as improving public transport and safer streets] and it has already resulted in significant improvements to bus services and three months free bus travel from our Park and Ride sites.
“Further benefits will flow once the scheme is in operation, while safeguarding the interests of, for example, trade vehicles, carers, hospital patients, blue badge holders and others.”