July 2026

Traffic Filters to replace Congestion Charge from 14th September

The long-planned traffic filter trial will replace Oxford’s temporary congestion charge on Monday 14 September, as a way to further reduce traffic in the city. This follows the planned reopening of Botley Road at the end of August.

Oxfordshire County Council’s traffic filter trial will operate in a similar way to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters being at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place. The trial, under an experimental traffic regulation order, can last for up to a maximum of 18 months.

The key difference is that, from 14 September, car drivers will no longer be able to pay the £5 congestion charge to go through the traffic filters. Cars with permits and all other vehicles can travel through the filters at all times. It is hoped that, with Botley Road open, everywhere in Oxford will be accessible by car without driving through a traffic filter. You may need to take an alternative route, but often you won’t. For further information, see the Council website.

Local Roadworks

With so many different schemes currently underway, here's our best efforts at summarising them for you so you can avoid them where possible...

• SSE will continue work in Walton Street until September.
• Thames Water will be working in Leckford Road, just to the east of Warnborough Road from 2-8 July, with traffic control
• There will be work starting in August at the Walton Street end of both Adelaide Street and Observatory Street - details to come.

Hot weather adjustments to bin collection

Due to the forecast high temperatures, waste collection will start earlier (5.00 am) than usual on Wednesday 8th, Thursday 9th and Friday 10th July.

Residents are requested to put their bins out the night before their scheduled collection day.