Oxfordshire County Council is set to launch a new traffic filter initiative this month, with penalties reaching £70 for those caught breaching the new regulations.
Residents and commuters have been advised to confirm their eligibility for permits before the scheme commences.
The traffic filter trial will replace the interim congestion charge on September 28, continuing efforts to manage traffic levels throughout the city.
Existing congestion charge permits will automatically roll over to the new system, though individuals who currently lack authorization have been urged to verify their qualification status and submit applications promptly.
Cllr Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, stated that those potentially eligible but not yet possessing a permit should take immediate action.
Early preparation, he explained, would facilitate an uncomplicated transition when the trial period commences.
Residents within Oxford city boundaries qualify for 100 complimentary daily entries annually.
Those residing in the wider Oxfordshire permit zone receive 25 free daily passes each year.
The traffic filter mechanism mirrors the preceding congestion charge in its operational approach, maintaining the same six monitoring points and operating windows.
ANPR technology will oversee these locations, with vehicles entering without proper authorization subject to a £70 penalty.
Early settlement within three weeks reduces this to £35.
The temporary congestion charge was initially implemented in October 2025 as a stopgap measure during the Botley Road closure.
The traffic filter trial received cabinet approval in November 2022.
Council monitoring of the congestion charge indicates positive outcomes, including heightened park and ride utilization, a 12 percent increase in bus passenger numbers, and reduced traffic flow along principal routes into Oxford.
Over 129,000 permits have been distributed since the interim charge took effect.
Cllr Epps noted that the congestion charge experience demonstrated promising signs of altered travel behaviour and improved traffic conditions across multiple approaches to the city centre.
Park and ride facilities have shown substantial growth, public transport ridership has increased considerably, and journey durations on key corridors have improved.
The trial represents the subsequent phase in addressing longstanding congestion issues.
A six-month public consultation will launch on September 28, with feedback from local residents and businesses intended to guide future planning.
Officials emphasized their commitment to listening and adapting as they develop sustainable long-term traffic solutions for Oxford and its surrounding areas.