New congestion charge signs 'hidden' behind bushes

Oxford's new £5 daily charge is due to begin on Wednesday

A local authority has been criticised after a number of road signs detailing a new congestion charge were "hidden" behind overgrown bushes.

Oxfordshire County Council's £5 congestion charge begins on Wednesday and will see cars charged for travelling on a number of roads in Oxford during specific hours.

Labour city councillor Simon Ottino said it was "utterly daft" that new signs alerting people to the charge had been placed behind out-of-control foliage.

The county council said that it had arranged for the vegetation to be cleared before the congestion charge comes into force.

While hedge cutting is usually the responsibility of the landowner, the authority can intervene if there is a significant safety hazard.

Mr Ottino claimed the county council was "failing in its duty if it allows the view of any of its road signs to be obstructed by overhanging branches".

"It is utterly daft if it puts a new sign up in a position where a view of it is obstructed by branches," he said.

Richard Parnham, from campaign group Reconnecting Oxford, said many people "haven't properly been alerted to the congestion charge scheme".

"And yet, in a way that is typical of the way this whole rushed scheme has been introduced - we've seen congestion charge signs put up directly behind other signs and hidden behind trees and bushes all over the city," he said.

"Someone needs to be held accountable for this shambles, urgently."

Richard Parnham, from the campaign group Reconnecting Oxford says he has spotted obscured signs across the city

Councillor Andrew Gant, the authority's transport chief, said: "An officer audit of signage for the Oxford temporary congestion charge has been completed, and contractors are currently arranging clearance works.

"Out of approximately 90 sign locations, six have been identified as partially obstructed from a driver's point of view.

"These are being prioritised to ensure visibility is restored ahead of the scheme's commencement [on] Wednesday.

"The council will maintain clear and compliant signage throughout the life of the scheme," he added.