Warning teachers will quit over congestion charge

There could soon be a £5 congestion charge for drivers in Oxford

A school trust has raised concerns that teachers will quit their jobs if a congestion charge is introduced in Oxford.

Chief executive of the River Learning Trust in Oxfordshire Paul James said recruiting teachers and support staff was already a "challenge".

The temporary scheme proposed in Oxfordshire will charge motorists who do not have a permit £5 per day for using several roads across the city.

The county council said action was needed because of delays to a planned trial of traffic filters, which was approved in November 2022 and could see fines of up to £70 for driving along the same roads.

The roads affected by the congestion charge would be Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, Thames Street and St. Clement's Street every day from 07:00 to 19:00.

It would also include Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way, Monday to Saturday from 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 18:00.

A survey last year found that 43% of staff at The Cherwell School, in Oxfordshire said they were "likely or certain to resign if traffic filters are put in place".

'Stress and fatigue'

While the Swan School found that 50% of staff said they were likely to resign and at the New Marston Primary School it was 21%.

These schools are all located on the Marston Ferry Road, which is one of the roads that will be affected by congestion charging as well as the traffic filter trial.

Paul James said: "Unfortunately, making those staff pay to use the roads they need to use to get to work or increasing their journey times by forcing them to take lengthy and congested detours could deter them from joining our schools or from continuing to work in them."

The headteacher at Meadowbrook College, a specialist school which is also part of the trust, said the charge would "contribute to greater stress and fatigue" among its staff.

They added that longer journey times would undermine students' routine, "which is particularly critical for pupils with additional needs".

Oxfordshire County Council said it was taking action to "tackle congestion and speed up bus journeys in Oxford".

A final decision is due to be made by the council on 10 September.