Drivers set to be crippled by controversial new congestion zone launching TODAY as UK city imposes biggest charge outside of London

The scheme is being introduced as the council aims to reduce congestion in Oxford while National Rail continues its work on Botley Road, meaning a traffic filter trial cannot start.

The new congestion charge is expected to be active for around a year, with drivers of cars and motorhomes facing a £5 daily charge if they travel on key routes around the city.

Oxford now has the biggest Congestion Charge outside of London, but other cities do have clean air zones

Motorists only need to pay once a day, even if they travel through multiple charging locations or when driving through the same location multiple times.

Drivers can apply for permits, with residents able to select from more than 20 categories which could exempt them from the congestion charge costs.

There are six charging locations in total, including:

• Hythe Bridge Street: Monday to Sunday, 7am-7pm
• St Cross Road: Monday to Sunday, 7am-7pm
• St Clement's Street: Monday to Sunday, 7am-7pm
• Thames Street: Monday to Sunday, 7am-7pm
• Marston Ferry Road: Monday to Saturday, 7-9am and 3-6pm
• Hollow Way: Monday to Saturday, 7-9am and 3-6pm

The council confirmed that it would be installing traffic signs to mark the locations of charging cameras, which will include Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology.

Any money raised from the scheme will be used to cover the establishment of the congestion charge, while any surplus funds will be used to improve public services.

This includes free or discounted parking at park and ride sites across the city, cheaper bus and park and ride fares, and improved bus services.

Commenting on the scheme, Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said he was "delighted" that the "important milestone" had been given the green light.

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"Together with the significant reduction in congestion that we will see with the temporary charge, the permits will enable those who need to make trips by car, to do so much more easily," the Lib Dem councillor added.

While the council cannot confirm whether the work on Botley Road will be completed at the end of August 2026, it will look to introduce the traffic filters trial as soon as possible.

Regardless of the traffic filters scheme, Oxfordshire County Council confirmed that the congestion charge would not be in place for longer than two years.

However, the congestion charge has been met with backlash, including from Labour's Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds, who acknowledged residents' concerns about traffic.

Ms Dodds, who served as International Development Minister from July 2024 until February 2025, said there had been "huge local disquiet" about the travel scheme.

She added: "This concern transcends whether people are in favour of more or less active travel. The only way to heal these divisions is for local people to be listened to.

"We will continue to argue for this as sadly, the County Council so far has not been listening to local communities when it comes to this scheme."

Similarly, James Fry, who represents Labour for the Summertown & Walton Manor ward, criticised the Liberal Democrat-controlled council for sending letters to households that are expected to arrive just a week before the charges start.

The Shadow Cabinet Member for Transport Management added: "The last-minute letters mean some residents may not even find out until after they've already been charged. We don’t want anyone getting caught out."