Council recommended to start £5 congestion charge

The council's cabinet will make a final decision at a meeting on 10 September

Plans to introduce a congestion charge in Oxford have moved closer after council officers recommended the scheme for approval.

Officials from Oxfordshire County Council said the £5 charge for cars on six roads was forecast to reduce traffic volumes and create "improved conditions for buses".

The council's cabinet is set to make a final decision at a meeting on 10 September.

More than 7,000 people responded to a public consultation, with about three-quarters saying the plan would negatively impact them.

The county council previously said action was needed due to traffic issues caused by the long-term closure of Botley Road which has in turn delayed the introduction of the authority's traffic filter scheme.

Under its new proposals, temporary charging points for the congestion zone would be introduced on Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement's Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.

It would apply to car drivers only and permits would be available for carers, traders, blue badge holders and those commuting to or living in a central area of the city.

Hythe Bridge Street would be one of six charging points

Oxfordshire County Council leader Liz Leffman last week admitted the scheme was "a bit messy" and would not be "perfect" but said it was the "only suggestion that's come forward that actually makes any real sense".

She said: "...the only thing that I've heard from people is we want to make sure that bus journey times are improved, so we have to find a way of doing that and this is the proposal."

But the scheme has proved controversial, with those opposed to it previously labelling it "unfair and unjust".

Emily Scaysbrook, who owns the Hoyle's of Oxford shop on the city's High Street, told the BBC the "punitive" scheme would "affect so many businesses and so many residents".

"I think it's disgusting that they're planning on putting in place this scheme now, before they put in place the proposals that they have for the buses that will address some of the issues that people currently driving face getting into Oxford," she said.

"It is totally wrong to put in place sticks like this before the carrots."