A new traffic filter system will begin operating across Oxford city centre on September 28, restricting some drivers from using six routes unless they have an approved permit. Motorists who ignore the restrictions could receive a £70 penalty charge notice.
The scheme replaces the temporary £5 congestion charge currently used in parts of the city and introduces automatic enforcement through automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras.
New Restrictions Will Cover Six Oxford Locations
The new rules will apply at six traffic filter points across Oxford, including Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clement’s Street and Thames Street. These locations will operate between 7am and 7pm every day.
Two additional filters, located on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way, will have shorter operating periods. They will be active from 7am to 9am and from 3pm to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Drivers passing a yellow warning sign without the required permit may be identified by cameras and issued with a fine. The penalty will be reduced to £35 if payment is made within 21 days.
According to The Sun, the new system is designed to replace the temporary congestion charging arrangement while limiting certain vehicle movements through busy central areas.
Which Vehicles Need A Permit Under The New System
The restrictions will mainly affect cars, including electric cars, as well as some motorhomes. Other road users, such as vans, motorbikes, mopeds, buses and lorries, will not need permits under the new rules.
Some motorists who already hold temporary congestion charge permits will have their access transferred automatically to the new system. The transition may also remove some central area permits depending on eligibility under the updated scheme.
Oxford residents and visitors will still be able to reach all areas of the city without paying a penalty by choosing alternative routes that avoid the traffic filters.
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Trial Period Will Allow Public Feedback
The Oxford Traffic Filters trial is expected to run for up to 18 months. A six-month public consultation period will begin when the system launches on September 28.
The city council will use feedback collected during the consultation to assess how the restrictions affect traffic patterns, travel choices and access across central Oxford.
The introduction of the filters follows wider efforts by cities across the UK to manage congestion and change how people travel through crowded urban areas. The Oxford scheme focuses on controlling access at specific points rather than creating a charge for every journey into the city centre.
Drivers Must Check Routes Before The September Launch
Motorists travelling through Oxford will need to review the locations and operating times of the traffic filters before the system starts. Drivers without a valid permit who enter restricted routes during enforcement hours may receive a penalty notice.
The six filters will officially begin operation on Monday, September 28, with enforcement carried out using number plate recognition technology.
