What is the future for car journeys in Oxford?

Two more traffic calming proposals for Oxford have come under the spotlight

Almost a month after the introduction of Oxford's temporary congestion charge, attention is turning to other programmes aimed at alleviating the city's traffic woes.

At a meeting of Oxford City Council on Monday, councillors debated a motion to formally oppose two more of the county council's congestion calming schemes - traffic filters and a workplace parking levy.

The motion was ultimately defeated, but councillor David Henwood, from the Independent Oxford Alliance, said the proposals were a "tax on movement" and key workers would be "hammered by the fines".

Oxfordshire County Council said the transport measures were "designed to work together to create a healthier, more accessible and attractive county".

So what are the plans and how might they affect drivers in Oxford?

The traffic calming measures are both part of the county council's central Oxfordshire travel plan.

Traffic filters

Sometimes referred to as bus gates, the new traffic filters will be introduced when the temporary congestion charge ends.

They were approved by the county council three years ago, but put on hold when Botley Road was closed for the redevelopment of Oxford railway station.

The scheme will use the same locations, cameras and back office software as the temporary congestion charge.

But whereas motorists can currently pay a £5 daily charge to drive through all six congestion charge locations, under the traffic filters, cars will be prohibited from passing through.

If they do, they will be fined £70, reduced to £35 if they pay within 21 days.

The council said permits would still be available, along similar lines to the congestion charge.

Although the central permit area will no longer exist as, once the Botley Road reopens, all areas of the city will be accessible without passing through a traffic filter point.

Workplace parking levy

A workplace parking levy is designed to reduce the amount of people commuting by car into Oxford by introducing a fee for employers who offer car parking spaces for their staff.

The council said the money raised from the scheme would be used to improve transport in the city.

This includes bus services, walking and cycling infrastructure, as well as covering the cost of implementing and running the scheme.

The proposal is in its early stages, with details about how much employers could be charged and who might be included in the levy still to be decided.

The county council hopes to introduce the measure in spring 2028.

A workplace parking levy is also being considered by the county council

County council cabinet member for transport Andrew Gant said the measures would lead to a county where journeys were "quicker, more connected, more flexible and more reliable. Where walking, cycling and public transport are the natural first choice, because they work for our residents".

The council will shortly be releasing the first month's data for the temporary congestion charge, to judge how successful it has been.