CAMPAIGN group Reconnecting Oxford has described the proposed congestion charge as “traffic filters by the back door”.
Richard Parnham, of the grassroots group campaigning for “evidence-based policies” in Oxford, said he wouldn’t be surprised if a congestion charge would be permanent.
Oxfordshire county council has proposed bringing in a £5 daily charge for cars from autumn, with the vision of scrapping it for the traffic filters in a year.
Mr Parnham said: “It's ironic that they're calling it a congestion charge because, as most people know, for half of the year there is no congestion in Oxford.
“If the council was serious about reducing congestion, the obvious thing for them to do is to remove the LTNs.
“The bus company has previously said they are directly responsible for causing a catastrophic collapse in their service.”
Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, previously said that data shows LTNs in east Oxford made congestion worse.
Andrew Gant, county council cabinet member for transport management, said: “We urgently need to see improvements to travel around the city; better bus services and less traffic overall, to help people get around.”
But Linda Smith, Labour city cabinet member for housing, said last night it is "ludicrous and obscene" residents would have to pay £5.
She said: "Oxfordshire County Council does not serve the interests of Oxford.”
