A FAMOUS UK city is set to hit drivers with a daily charge in just a matter of days.
Oxfordshire County Council is preparing to introduce a temporary congestion fee in Oxford from October 29 that would force motors to pay a £5 to enter certain parts of the city.
This initiative, intended as an interim measure, aims to cut down on city centre traffic, improve air quality and ensure that public transport operates more efficiently, particularly in the lead-up to Christmas.
According to BirmignhamLive, in preparation for the charge, authorities are installing Automatic Number Plate Recognition camera, while also updating road signage to notify motorists.
The council has argued that these steps will help create a cleaner and more accessible Oxford – with additional measures such as a free park-and-ride service to ease the transition to be brought in.
Councillor Andrew Gant, the council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “This is another important milestone in delivering a cleaner, more accessible Oxford.
“The temporary congestion charge will help reduce queues, improve air quality, and make public transport more reliable.
“Together with our free park-and-ride offer, this will help everyone move around the city more easily and support local businesses as we head into the busy Christmas period.”
Naturally, the proposed scheme is facing resistance from locals and business owners concerned about the financial strain amid the cost of living crisis.
Indeed, an opposition group, Open Roads for Oxford, has formally threatened legal action, claiming the council failed to adequately consider public consultation responses.
They have since sent a pre-action protocol letter, giving the council until October 21 to reply.
Paul Major, who owns Pens Plus of Oxford and is chair of Open Roads for Oxford, said: “We had hoped the county council would listen to the very real and evidence-based concerns being raised about this scheme, but they continue to ignore them, with apparently little regard for the harm this will cause to individuals and businesses.”
And Emily Scaysbrook, owner of Hoyle’s in the city centre, added: “Of course, our preferred outcome is that the council will now reconsider their position, before forcing residents, businesses, and workers into costly and unnecessary hardship.
“If not, we are ready to pursue all legal avenues necessary.”
Elsewhere, millions of drivers are set to be impacted by a new speed limit being imposed on a crucial UK motorway this month.
The new 50mph speed limit is putting motorists at risk of a hefty £1,000 fine.
Motorists are being warned about the reduced speed limit on the M5 motorway coming into force over the next few months.
Further disruptions are also expected to occur as multiple sets of work take place along the motorway in Devon and Somerset.
They are due to last until February 2026.
Three narrow lanes in each direction will be hit with the new 50 mph speed limit around junction 26 for Wellington.
This is for the majority of the second set of works starting on Monday, October 26.
De-silting of ditches, gully renewal, resurfacing, replacing blocked drainage pipes and fittings, road marking updates, camera survey and proofing are among the works to be carried out.
It involves a £5.9 million programme which aims to improve drainage and alleviate flooding on the verges and carriageway near junction 26.
The National Highways scheme has been tasked with resolving flooding issues and improving safety for motorists on the M5 in Somerset.
