Oxford congestion charge (Roads)

Tue 21 Oct, 13:57

I don't know whether this helps or hinders, but I found it interesting:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr1ngxyvx7o

Sun 19 Oct, 16:48

No, the ZEZ does not affect you unless you drive to the very centre of Oxford, which unless you’re a taxi or a bus you won’t be doing. It does not affect access to either the Westgate or Worcester Street car parks. See map.

Janet’s post correctly describes the situation with the congestion charge.

Fri 17 Oct, 09:54

Sorry this has been moved to the "roads" board, especially as it's clear that people are still very confused.

There are 2 different reasons one might be charged for driving through Oxford. There's the Oxford zero emission zone (ZEZ). This is the reason that it already costs money to access Oxford City Centre, including Westgate and Worcester Street. Janet's advice about accessing car parks in Oxford does, I think, refer primarily to the ZEZ charges. 

From Wednesday October 29th there will also be the Congestion Charge which is quite different. The affected streets are these: 

Hythe Bridge Street Monday to Sunday 7am - 7pm

St Cross Road Monday to Sunday 7am - 7pm

St Clements Street Monday to Sunday 7am - 7pm

Thames Street Monday to Sunday 7am - 7pm

Marston Ferry Road Monday to Saturday 7am - 9am and 3pm - 6pm

Hollow Way Monday to Saturday 7am - 9am and 3pm - 6pm

As I rarely drive through Oxford, I don't know where some of these streets are or how easy it will be to spot the cameras.  I wish we had been sent a leaflet about all of this, and then it would have been much easier to understand how the two different schemes interact. 

Thu 16 Oct, 23:44

Simon, years ago I could drive into Oxford, park in Broad Street, have a wander around, maybe have dinner at the Turf Tavern, take in a few shops like Blackwell's Record Shop. It was fun. For many years now Oxford has been unfriendly to cars, and even the Park & Ride involves expense that I do not need; also my walking ability makes things difficult ... with all these things considered, PLUS the latest idiocy ... I CANNOT BE ARSED!

Thu 16 Oct, 20:08

Have people forgotten that this is just phase, through traffic (with cameras) was stopped in the High Street and St. Aldates quite a few years ago. Crikey, you might have to get out of your car and use your legs/bus/train/bike/hire scooter/hire bike, if you can use those that is.

Thu 16 Oct, 17:05

As Clare says it is not a 'zone' but roads with an ANPR camera which will spot you if you drive through mostly in city centre locations. I found these points on the OCC website:

If you do not have a permit, you will have to pay the congestion charge to access these car parks:

• Westgate
• the rail station
• Oxpens
• Worcester Street

And:  If you don't have a permit, you can pay the congestion charge online—you won't need an account. You can pay the charge online by midnight on the day after you drive through one of the six charge locations. If you can't pay online, you can pay by phone. 

So if you accidentally drive through one, no need to panic. 

Mon 13 Oct, 17:08

Glad that's sorted!

Mon 13 Oct, 16:37

All sorted. When I set up my account, it set up as a business account which is why I couldn't see what other folk on here could see. As soon as I changed it to a personal account, it was very easy to set up. Thank you all for trying to help.

Mon 13 Oct, 14:33

Simon, I applied for a permit for residents of Oxfordshire, on a personal basis. If you click on James' link below, that's where it will take you. 

Mon 13 Oct, 11:25

Christine, what category did you apply for. I have looked at this numerous times, and I think I am in the right section, but there is no category for someone just driving through. You seem to need either an Oxford workplace address, be a fire fighter or drive a hearse. I will have to ring as Liz has stated, but you shouldnt have to.

Sun 12 Oct, 23:10

I think that I have succeeded in registering for the congestion charge pass on my PC, but the procedure is far from straightforward. 

I followed James' link below, having previously scanned both pages 1 and 2 of my V5, putting them together in a single pdf. I also did a separate scan of my Council Tax notice, although utility bills  and other documents could have been used instead. 

I then set up a new email address for OCC as it didn't recognise my old password.  Details of my address and my car (number plate, make and colour) could be filled in only after an email had been received to validate the password. 

I received no on-screen instructions, and I got stuck in a repetitive loop and the data I had inputted kept disappearing. Eventually a "save" button appeared at the bottom of the screen.

After uploading the 2 pdfs under the documents heading, I found myself on a screen that seems to show the permit as active. I wasn't told that I had succeeded, but I am assuming that all is OK. 

A really complicated and onerous procedure. I was determined to do it as my number plates were stolen in Charlbury some years ago, and I didn't want to risk receiving a £70  fine if the plates are used by somebody else. 

Sun 12 Oct, 21:51

Simon, I too have failed several times.

Sat 11 Oct, 10:25

Simon, follow James' link below, then the link to actually apply is the blue button in the first section on the page - but it looks like you need to create an account first.

Fri 10 Oct, 12:57 (last edited on Fri 10 Oct, 13:59)

Simon, can I suggest that you call the customer service number and ask them to help you.  They will be able to take you through the process

Fri 10 Oct, 12:41

Has anyone actually successfully done this. I have followed every link and cannot find where you can actually get a permit.

Fri 10 Oct, 09:22

Simon, url for Oxon residents' permit: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxfords-temporary-congestion-charge-cars/congestion-charge-permits/tcc-oxfordshire-permit-area (if you need a permit that is – as Claire said, it's not a zone, it's just points that you pass and it sounds like it will be easy to avoid the toll cameras unless you are obliged or determined to take a particular route).

Thu 9 Oct, 14:14

I wouldn't describe the online system as "quick and easy to navigate".

One piece of advice. Before starting you need to scan pages 1 and 2 of your V5C car registration document. If you are applying for the permit to cover more than 1 car, then pages 1 and 2 of each registration document need to be included in one file for uploading during the application process.

Thu 9 Oct, 13:40

It's worth noting that according to this website, 'Oxfordshire County Council is providing free park and ride bus journeys in Oxford for an initial period of three months from 29 October ... up to two adults and three children with a valid park and ride parking ticket will be able to claim free travel to and from park and ride sites in the city. The tickets will be valid on any Stagecoach, Oxford Bus Company or Thames Travel bus that visits an Oxford park and ride site, not just named park and ride services.'

https://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/free-park-and-ride-bus-travel-with-temporary-congestion-charge/

Thu 9 Oct, 11:29

Unless Ive totally misunderstood, it isn’t actually a zone. There are only 6 roads where the charge will apply. From Charlbury you will still be able to drive into the centre of Oxford via Woodstock Road without paying, or to the hospital via the ring road. The only issue I can see would be if you went to the hospital and wanted to shortcut back down Marston Ferry Road - at peak times you would have to take the ring road. It looks to me like it’s only a problem if you work in oxford or regularly visit someone and you need to use one of those 6 roads. 

Thu 9 Oct, 11:18

Sorry Liz, I must be stupid. I cannot see anywhere you apply. There are sections for workers, good vehicles, blue badge holders, hearses etc but I cannot find a section for people visiting Oxford. 

Thu 9 Oct, 11:17

If it reduces traffic in some central areas, it will be worth it. Traffic in places like St Clements is appalling all day and evening - unpleasant for pedestrians to walk past, very slow and congested for people on bikes, in cars, on buses. The medieval and Victorian streets can't cope with the volume and size of modern traffic.

It looks like you can avoid it if you need to – for example you can drive to the hospitals via the ring road/Marsh Lane/Headley Way without a permit, and you can drive to the O2 via the ring road and BMW roundabout/Cowley Rd without a permit. But not along St Clements or Longwall St – good! Map here:  https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxfords-temporary-congestion-charge-cars/map-locations You'd only need a permit for certain journeys and they are free.

Thu 9 Oct, 11:08 (last edited on Thu 9 Oct, 11:08)

Anyone living in Oxfordshire can apply for 25 permits a year, whether they work in Oxford or are visiting the city.  In the list of permits on the website that is the fourth item from the top - Oxfordshire permit area resident.  You have to provide proof of residency and of car ownership when you apply. Anyone visiting from elsewhere will have to pay a congestion charge of £5. 

Thu 9 Oct, 11:01

I don't know if I'm missing something obvious, but I cannot find a permit for people visiting Oxford. The one that appears to be directed to Oxfordshire residents is for people who work in Oxford. Has anyone found the correct permit?

Wed 8 Oct, 17:03 (last edited on Thu 9 Oct, 08:13)

Leaflets have been sent out to the areas closest to Oxford, but I am not sure whether Charlbury was included.  However you can get all the information you need here:  https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxfords-temporary-congestion-charge-cars; Everyone is entitled to 25 free passes per year, and people with, for example, blue badges are exempt from any charges but you will still need to register. The online system for applying for passes is working well and appears to be quick and easy to navigate.  If someone does not have digital access they can call the OCC customer service centre on 01865 519800 and they will be able to do it for them. 

Wed 8 Oct, 16:03 (last edited on Wed 8 Oct, 20:16)

Does everyone know that OCC is introducing a "temporary congestion charge" for those travelling by car into central Oxford from Wednesday October 29th? ANPR cameras will be charging offenders from that date.

If Charlbury residents have been sent details of how to apply for a permit or permits to travel through the designated congestion zone without being charged on a limited number of days in a year, it has certainly passed me by. And I'm guessing that's also probably true for other people. 

All details of the affected areas and also the various permit types can be found here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/oxfords-temporary-congestion-charge-cars

Frequent hospital patients, Blue Badge Holders and a variety of workers and parents have their own particular exemptions.

Unfortunately the whole process seems to be digital, so it will take time to put an application together. A good idea to start the application as soon as you can manage it!