A fresh commencement date for Oxford’s traffic filter initiative and the termination of the congestion charge will not be announced until there is complete confidence regarding Botley Road’s restoration.
The vital city entrance route was shut in April 2023 with an initial projection of one year as part of the Oxford Railway Station upgrade project.
Following numerous setbacks and ambiguity surrounding its reopening, Network Rail confirmed on July 29 that the thoroughfare would become accessible on September 20.
The traffic filters, initially sanctioned in 2022 and stalled by the original shutdown, were earmarked to supersede the congestion charge on September 14, but have been pushed back once more due to ongoing delays.
Oxfordshire County Council’s transportation chief Gareth Epps stated that the local community and traders have suffered through the Botley Road closure for an excessive period, so they greet the announcement of a reopening date with appreciation. He added that they would now review their schedule for the traffic filter trial and would disclose the commencement date at the earliest opportunity once complete certainty is established.
Previously, Network Rail had indicated the road would become passable four to six weeks following the conclusion of August, which contradicts the timeline now disclosed.
The most recent postponement stemmed from gas leaks uncovered during excavation activities.
Network Rail explained that prioritising safety and aiming to prevent inconvenient unforeseen maintenance later, they opted to incorporate Southern Gas Network’s necessary work to renew a portion of the gas infrastructure beneath Botley Road alongside finishing the remaining construction.
While a fresh commencement date for the traffic filters remains undisclosed, the county council outlined the proposal when announcing the previous anticipated launch.
The upcoming 18-month filter trial mirrors the congestion charge arrangement in several aspects, maintaining identical time constraints, locations and enforcement cameras, though the £5 permit purchase option will be discontinued.
Automatic number plate recognition equipment will persist on Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, St Clements Street and Thames Street daily between 7am and 7pm, as well as Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way on weekdays and Saturdays from 7am until 9am and 3pm until 6pm.
Travelling through these points without a permit attracts a £70 penalty, reducible to £35 if settled within three weeks or escalated to £105 if left unpaid for four weeks – a fortnight after this deadline, the council may refer the matter to Northampton County Court, which can forward the case to a bailiff.
During the initial half-year of the filters, any motorist recorded by a camera without a permit will first receive a warning notice – subsequent passage through the filters will then result in a fine.
Complimentary daily permits for Oxford and Oxfordshire inhabitants should migrate automatically, permitting them to enter the filter zones by vehicle either 100 days annually or 25 days annually, contingent on their residential address.