Drivers face £10 surge in driving costs as new congestion charge makes travel 'unaffordable'

While the measure aimed to cut down on car build-up in the area, motorists have warned that travelling into the city has become unaffordable.

The financial burden particularly affects drivers using city centre car parks, with Worcester Street car park users now paying £10.80 for just one hour of weekday parking when passing through a charging point.

The temporary congestion charge aims to reduce traffic while Botley Road remains closed, preventing the planned traffic filter trial. The scheme will continue until the road reopens in August 2026.

The new congestion charge operates at varying times across the six locations, with Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way enforcing charges during weekday peak hours from 7am to 9am and 3pm to 6pm, Monday through Saturday.

Meanwhile, Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement's Street and Thames Street maintain charges throughout the week from 7am to 7pm.

The council noted that various groups qualify for free permits, including residents, traders, carers and Blue Badge holders.

During the initial six weeks, first-time offenders will receive warning letters rather than penalty notices. Extended parking durations at Worcester Street incur steeper costs, reaching £13.10 for two hours, £16.60 for three hours, and £19.40 for four hours. Longer stays cost £27 for six hours, £38.50 for eight hours, and peak at £46.60 for 24-hour parking.

Worryingly, Oxpens car park has been found to be inaccessible without travelling through the charging point, with drivers now required to fork out £9.60 for one hour's parking, including the levy.

Suburban locations offer marginally lower rates, with Hinksey Park costing £6.20 and Port Meadow £5.90 for similar durations.

Oxford City Council, which manages off-street parking facilities, recorded £4.2million in profits from these operations between April 2024 and March 2025, according to Government data.

The authority implemented separate parking fee increases earlier this year, raising city centre rates by five per cent and peripheral locations by 11 per cent. Business representatives have expressed alarm about the scheme's potential to discourage visitors during economic hardship.

Bernadette Evans from Oxford Business Action Group told This is Oxfordshire: "Customers arriving by car will be weighing up their options and deciding whether Oxford is still worthwhile visiting."

She highlighted Worcester Street car park's predicament, stating that with Worcester Street car park now behind a congestion charge point, "it will force anyone without a permit to pay an extra £5 on top of the car parking costs".

Ms Evans drew parallels with St Giles car park, suggesting Worcester Street might experience similar reduced usage after becoming "unaffordable to most".

She criticised the timing, stating that during a cost-of-living crisis, "you'd think the council would support them, but instead they've made it harder for customers to reach us and put up the cost of parking."

The financial dynamics between councils have created additional tensions with Ms Evans noting that the city council will end up losing out as they own the off-street car parks, "while the county council will be raking in more money from the congestion charge payments and fines."

Oxfordshire County Councillor Andrew Gant countered that increased park and ride usage would "in turn generate more revenue for the city council".

He maintained that on-street parking remains fully accessible, with high demand continuing for limited spaces. Oxford City Council defended its pricing structure, with a spokesperson asserting charges remain reasonable and necessary for service provision.