Labour has slammed proposals by the Liberal Democrat-run County Council to introduce a new £5 congestion charge from this Autumn.

The Lib Dem plan would see people charged £5 for driving through one of six fixed points in the City. The restriction points are set to be in the same location as the proposed traffic filters: St Cross Road, Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street, St Clement’s Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way. Some exemptions will apply.

Charges would apply 7pm–7am Monday – Sunday. Restrictions on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way would be peak time only (7am–9am and 3pm–6pm) Monday–Saturday.

Yet again the county isn’t listening

There has been no engagement with businesses, residents or the City Council until today – yet again the city is being done to rather than engaged with in preparing transport proposals. 

Where is the mandate for this?

We are concerned that this scheme allows people who can afford to do so to buy access to our streets. Those who can’t will struggle.  

Why should Oxford residents pay to travel around their city?

We believe that Oxford residents deserve clear proposals to delivering a cheaper, more comprehensive bus service in the city – not just vague promises of improvements. Any revenue from this scheme should be spent in the city on public transport.

Action on private school traffic

We also want to see further action on tackling the very real impact that private school traffic has on congestion in the city, with specific actions taken to reduce it.

Oxford isn’t London

Comparisons made by the County Council to London are unrealistic considering the variety of other public transport options available in London. We are not anywhere near there yet in Oxford. 

What does Oxford Labour want?

✅  No half-baked, rushed-through traffic plans

✅  Concrete plans for making public transport cheaper and more accessible

✅  Funding for better bus services, not vague promises

✅  Action on private school traffic

✅  Frequent hospital site shuttles from P&Rs for staff and patients

✅  Delivering the Cowley Branch Line