Coach permits for Oxford

All buses and coaches - with the exception of those on local and express services, and work and school buses - are banned from several streets in the city centre. The roads in question are referred to below as 'the prohibited area'.

If your vehicle's un-laden weight is more than 7.5 tonnes, please note that you are not allowed to use Longwall Street, St Cross Road, South Parks Road, Museum Road, Blackhall Road, or Parks Road between its junction with Keble Road and South Parks Road, at any time unless your destination is in these streets.

If you are entering the city from the west, please note that there is a 4.11m (13'6") height restriction at the Botley Road railway bridge.

Access to the prohibited area

During the restricted hours, access to 'the prohibited area' by prohibited classes of vehicle is by permit only. Permits are only issued where considerable difficulty or hardship would otherwise result.

The following streets fall within this area and require a coach permit for access:

* Permit is not required for this street - dropping and picking up only (see below).

How to apply for a coach permit

Please email the following information to our Parking Shop at parking.shop@oxfordshire.gov.uk at least three days before your visit:

• date of visit
• setting down point and time of arrival
• collection point and time of departure
• vehicle registration number of coach
• fax number and contact telephone number

If you need more information, please call the Parking Shop on 0845 634 4466.

On-street waiting

Authorised stopping places for the purpose of picking up and setting down passengers are only provided in Beaumont Street. Coaches may also pick up and set down their passengers in the Oxpens coach park. Coaches are not permitted to wait on the streets in the central area, and must proceed to the off-street coach park.

Please note the Oxpens off-street coach park is the responsibility of Oxford City Council.

The police and civil enforcement officers are under instructions to move on any coach not actually in the process of picking up or setting down passengers. It is the coach operator's responsibility to take steps to make sure that when making arrangements to pick a party up that all member of the group are present at the agreed time.

A coach will not be allowed to wait for any latecomers.

Please take steps to make sure that once passengers have exited the coach, they do not obstruct the pavement.

City centre map

Access and directions into the city centre

To reach the north of the city centre (eg to visit the Sheldonian Theatre)

From the east: Coaches approaching from the east (A40 or B480) should proceed along the ring road (A40) to the north of Oxford, and then turn left at the Banbury Road roundabout onto the A4165. On arrival in the centre, they should either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and set their passengers down there or (ii) drop their passengers in Beaumont Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

From the south: Coaches approaching from the south (A34 or A423) should enter the city on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre they should either (i) proceed via Thames Street, Oxpens Road, Hollybush Row, Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street, Beaumont Street and drop passengers, then proceed to the Oxpens coach park or (ii) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and set their passengers down there.

From the west: Coaches approaching from the west (A420 or B4044) should enter the city on the A420 (Botley Road). On arrival in the centre they should either (i) proceed to the Oxpens coach park and drop their passengers there, or (ii) proceed via Hythe Bridge Street, Worcester Street, Beaumont Street and drop their passengers and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

From the north: Coaches approaching from the north (A44, A423, A34 or A40) should enter the city on the A4165 (Banbury Road). On arrival in the centre they should either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and drop their passengers there, or (ii) drop their passengers in Beaumont Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

To reach the south of the city centre (eg to visit Christ Church)

From the east: Coaches approaching from the east (A40 or B480) should turn left and proceed along the ring road (A4142) to the south of Oxford and enter Oxford on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre, they should either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park or (ii) drop their passengers in Norfolk Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

From the south: Coaches approaching from the south (A34 or A423) should enter the city on the A4144 (Abingdon Road). On arrival in the centre, they should either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and set their passengers down there or (ii) drop their passengers in Norfolk Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

From the west: Coaches approaching from the west (A420 or B4044) should enter the city on the A420 (Botley Road). On arrival in the city centre, they should proceed via Hollybush Row and Oxpens Road and either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and set their passengers down there or (ii) drop their passengers in Norfolk Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.

From the north: Coaches approaching from the North (A44, A423, A34 or A40) should enter the city on the A4165 (Banubry Road), or the A4144 (Woodstock Road). On arrival in the centre they should proceed via Beaumont Street, Worcester Street, Hythe Bridge Street, Hollybush Row, Oxpens Road and either (i) proceed direct to the Oxpens coach park and set their passengers down there, or (ii) drop their passengers in Norfolk Street and then proceed to the Oxpens coach park.