Congestion charge glitch sees drivers lose permits

Motorists are charged £5 a day for driving on some Oxford city centre roads

A technical problem with Oxford's new congestion charge system has caused some drivers to lose multiple free permits in one day.

Permit holders reported on social media that more than one of their virtual permits had been deducted when passing through the city's congestion charging points.

The permits, which are allocated to residents and allow limited free journeys, are checked by cameras reading number plates.

Oxfordshire County Council said the problem should be resolved within a week.

The temporary £5 congestion charge came into force on 29 October.

It applies to motorists using Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement's Street, Thames Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.

Those in wider Oxford are eligible for 100 free permits annually, while people living elsewhere in Oxfordshire will receive 25 passes.

Drivers are only charged once a day and can pass through charge points multiple times.

However, an Oxford resident told the BBC there were reports of cars passing without permits being deducted, and others losing more than one permit in a single day.

The council said the error related to "more than one day pass permit being deducted from a resident permit".

'Deducted in error'

Andrew Gant, the county council's transport chief, said missing permits would be reinstated and residents did not need to take any action.

"Some issues only become apparent when a system operates in its 'live' environment and we are keeping a close eye on any anomalies so these can be investigated and rectified as quickly as possible," he said in a statement.

"A reconciliation exercise is currently under way to identify the impacted accounts, and any permits deducted in error will be reinstated."

The congestion charge is expected to be replaced by a traffic filter trial after major roadworks on Botley Road are finished next summer.

Exemption permits are available for various groups, including blue badge holders.