Introduction
Drivers in Oxford could face a temporary £5 congestion charge on several city roads from next year, under new proposals being considered by Oxfordshire County Council.
The plans, which are set to be discussed by the council’s cabinet on Tuesday 17 June, aim to ease traffic in the city centre during the long wait for the delayed traffic filter trial – now scheduled to start after the expected reopening of Botley Road in August 2026.
Proposed charge
If approved, the temporary congestion charge would affect six key roads where the council eventually plans to introduce permanent traffic filters. Motorists without a permit would be charged £5 to drive through these areas, although the charge would not apply to other types of vehicles, including buses and emergency services.
The proposed charge would apply daily between 7.00am and 7.00pm on:
- Hythe Bridge Street
- St Cross Road
- Thames Street
- St Clement’s Street
It would also apply Monday to Saturday from 7.00am to 9.00am and 3.00pm to 6.00pm on:
- Marston Ferry Road
- Hollow Way
The council has said that the congestion charge would only remain in place until Botley Road reopens and the permanent traffic filters are introduced.
Interactive map
Map of Oxford traffic filter trials location where the congestion charge will be in place
Exemptions
Permits for exemption would mirror those set out in the traffic filter scheme, including allowances for Blue Badge holders, unpaid carers, vehicles used by businesses to carry goods or equipment, and emergency services.
A new permit category would also be created for residents who must drive through a charge zone, their visitors, and workers commuting into these areas.
A full list of exemptions can be found below and on the county council website:
- Residents, commuters and visitors to an area who have no option but to drive through the charge location
- Residents in the Oxford permit area can have 100 day passes per car per calendar year
- Residents in the Oxfordshire permit area can have 25 passes per car per calendar year
- Blue Badge Holders
- Disability benefit claimants
- Disabled tax class cars
- School students with Special Education Needs (SEN)
- Unpaid carers
- Community health or care workers
- Frequent hospital patients
- Emergency or health service cars
- Firefighters
- Hackney carriage or private hire vehicle
- Car club vehicle
- Business car used as goods vehicle
- Personal car used as goods vehicle
- Approved driving instructor
- Hearse or funeral car
Next steps
At next week’s meeting, the cabinet will be asked to approve a six-week public consultation on the proposed scheme, set to begin on 23 June. If the plans move forward, the temporary congestion charge could be introduced as early as autumn 2025.
The county council says the measure is a necessary step to manage congestion while longer-term plans for traffic reduction and air quality improvements are being finalised.
Further details, including how to take part in the consultation, are expected to be published following the cabinet’s decision.
Read more
Traffic filters, LTNs, ZEZ, WPL… an introduction to Oxford’s traffic initiatives
