Traffic filters scheme sees city centre gridlock

Shoppers and drivers have complained of extensive delays in a city centre after the introduction of a new traffic filters trial.

At the weekend there were reports of gridlock in and around Oxford's Botley and Oxpens roads and at the entrance to the Westgate shopping centre car park.

The filters were first approved by Oxfordshire County Council in November 2022, before being postponed by the long delayed Botley Road works, and introduced a fine of up to £70 for passing through six points around the city from the 28th of September.

Oxfordshire County Council says it is still early days in the traffic filter trial, and that it is monitoring the scheme's impact carefully.

Taxi driver Mohammad Dil Pazir has welcomed the traffic filters overall as he has a permit to pass through them.

He says that he and other cab drivers have faced significant delays getting to the railway station though: "Coming back to the station, it could take us up to one hour… because it is gridlock. You cannot move."

He gave an example of a fare to St Aldates "Going out is not very far, it's only about a £6 job, but coming back is costing us more money in fuel when we are stuck in the traffic, and time wise we are losing literally one hour for £6"

The county council scheme operates seven days a week between 07:00 to 19:00 for any driver passing through specific points on Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road and St Clement's Street.

Two of the filters, on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way, only operate during peak hours, between 07:00 and 09:00 and between 15:00 and 18:00, Monday to Saturday.

The filters will use the same technology as the previous temporary congestion charge, including automatic number plate recognition cameras.

The £70 fines will be reduced to £35, if paid within 21 days.

Luke Marion from the Oxford Bus Company said that it had expected things to be bad after the ending of the congestion charge and was particularly concerned about Botley Road as it was now the only way to get to Oxford's Westgate Centre.

Marion said that it's hard to judge how effective the traffic filters are as there are also roadworks in the area: "Basically in the afternoon peak and in the weekend afternoons we have seen quite significant queues of traffic coming down and congestion around the station area.

"That's related to that volume of traffic coming down the Botley Road."

A spokesperson for Westgate Oxford said: "We recognise the importance of enhancing city connectivity and reducing traffic, and we work closely with Oxfordshire County Council to manage congestion around the centre and the car park.

"However, like many others, we believe that the traffic filter scheme has the potential to negatively impact Oxford city centre, local businesses, and economic growth unless there is significant investment in public transport."

Gareth Epps, the council's transport chief said, "The traffic filter trial is the next step in helping us tackle congestion that has blighted the city for decades."

A six-month public consultation regarding the filters is now underway with the trial able run for up to 18 months.

You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.