Congestion charge decided 'behind closed doors'

Concerns have been raised over the transparency of a decision to introduce a temporary congestion charge for Oxford.

Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet has agreed a £5 daily charge for car drivers on roads with high levels of congestion.

Speaking last week, former cabinet member for highways Tim Bearder said the authority had signed a contract with with the bus companies and ran "the risk of potential litigation" if a policy to reduce congestion was not implemented.

The council said the legally-binding agreement did not mean the charge was inevitable.