About the traffic filters

What is happening

The traffic filter trial will replace Oxford's temporary congestion charge on Monday, 14 September. This start date follows the planned reopening of Botley Road at the end of August. 

People with congestion charge permits don't need to take any action, as we will automatically transfer their permits to traffic filter permits. The exception is the central permit area permits (see details below).

What's different in traffic filters

The traffic filter trial will operate similarly to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters being at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place.   

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. However, with Botley Road open, everywhere in Oxford will be accessible by car without having to drive through a traffic filter.

Why we're trialling traffic filters

The traffic filter trial is designed to further reduce congestion in the city, creating a healthier, more accessible and attractive Oxford. By removing the option for car drivers to pay, it aims to further reduce through-traffic and encourage more people to take public transport or walk, cycle and wheel.

Traffic filters are part of the central Oxfordshire travel plan and Oxfordshire's local transport and connectivity plan. We designed them to work together with other measures to:

• reduce traffic
• make bus journeys faster
• allow for new and improved bus routes
• make walking and cycling safer
• reduce local air pollution
• improve the health and wellbeing of our communities

What a traffic filter is

A traffic filter is a camera-enforced point on a road where certain types of traffic aren't allowed through at certain times. The six trial traffic filters in Oxford will only restrict cars. All other vehicles can travel through them at any time without a permit.

The traffic filters will be at the same points on six roads in Oxford as the current temporary congestion charge locations.

View a map of locations and permit areas.

A trial approach

We will implement the traffic filters scheme as a trial under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO). An ETRO allows a council to introduce traffic measures as a trial and make changes during that trial if needed. The trial will help us and members of the public to test how a scheme works before we make any more permanent decisions.

During the trial period, we will collect information on the effects of the scheme, such as:

• changes in traffic levels
• bus journey times

We will ask residents and businesses for their views on the measures.

Consultation

A consultation will run alongside the trial period, during which you can submit feedback based on your experience with the traffic filters.

When the trial will start and how long it will last

The traffic filters trial will start on 14 September 2026.

Under an experimental traffic regulation order (ETRO), the trial can run for up to 18 months.

Vehicles the traffic filters apply to

The traffic filters apply only to cars (and motorhomes). The DVLA classifies these as M1 vehicles (vehicle type approval). If unsure how your vehicle is classified, use the DVLA vehicle checker to view the vehicle type approval.  

Electric cars are not exempt from the traffic filters.

All other vehicles, such as vans, motorbikes, mopeds, scooters and lorries, can go through the traffic filters at all times.

Permits

Permits for the traffic filters scheme will be largely the same as for the temporary congestion charge. The exception is the central permit area permits (see details below).

If you already have a permit for the temporary congestion charge, we will transfer your permit to a traffic filters permit. You don't need to reapply.

Central permit area ending: affected permits

The central permit area covers a small part of the city that isn't accessible by car without passing a congestion charge location. 

With Botley Road open, every part of Oxford can be reached without driving through a traffic filter. Therefore, we are ending the central permit area. We will write to all permit holders to inform them about the change. Below are the affected permits.

Central permit area resident permit

If you hold a central permit area permit, we will transfer you to the Oxford permit area in the traffic filters scheme. You will receive 100 day passes.

We will write to all permit holders to inform them about the transfer and the change in the day pass allocation.

Central permit area resident's visitor permit

The visitor permit will expire when the congestion charge scheme ends. 

If your permit still has unused day passes, they will not be valid during the traffic filter trial.

Central permit area workplace parking users permit

The workplace parking users permit will expire when the congestion charge scheme ends. If you hold this permit, we will not transfer it to a traffic filters permit. Your congestion charge permit will not be valid in the traffic filter scheme.

You may be eligible for another type of permit in the traffic filter scheme. 

Central permit area sports clubs, nurseries, or military training

This permit will expire when the congestion charge scheme ends. If you hold this permit, we will not transfer it to a traffic filters permit. Your congestion charge permit will not be valid in the traffic filter scheme.

You may be eligible for another permit in the traffic filter scheme. 

Days and times of operation

Traffic filters operate year-round, including bank holidays. View the days and times of operation.

How to identify the traffic filter locations

Road signs mark traffic filter locations. View a map and a list of the street names.

The blue sign indicates that you are 80 yards (73 m) from the traffic filter. At this point, you can change your route to avoid it. 

The yellow signs on both sides of the road mark the traffic filter. If you pass these signs in a car without a permit, you may be fined. 

Below are images of the signs.

Fines for driving a car without a permit through traffic filters

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will check all vehicles moving through traffic filters. You will get a fine if you go through a traffic filter without a permit. 

The fine is £70 (reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days).

If you do not pay the fine within 28 days, it increases to £105.

Warning notice

During the first six months of the traffic filter trial, you will receive a warning notice for the first contravention of driving through a traffic filter without a valid permit.

You do not need to pay a fine if you have received a warning notice. However, you must ensure that you avoid the traffic filters on future journeys or apply for a permit if you qualify. Contact us if you want to discuss the notice.

Travelling around Oxford

Traffic filters apply only to cars. However, with Botley Road open, every part of Oxford can be reached without driving through a traffic filter. 

You may need to take an alternative route, but often you won't.

Plan your route before you travel to avoid passing through a traffic filter.

Travelling to a hospital in Oxford.

Monitoring the scheme

Throughout the trial, we will monitor the traffic filters and conduct a consultation to gather your feedback. The full details are in our monitoring and assessment plan (.pdf format, 455 KB).

Monitoring will identify if any changes are needed to the scheme design.

Monitoring, evaluation, and consultation results will inform whether and how to continue with the traffic filters.

Project costs and funding

The estimated cost of traffic filters is £ 6.56 million.

The UK government funds the traffic filters trial.

Scheme assessments and reports

The scheme drawings show the location and signage associated with the traffic filters:

• Hollow Way 7 to 7pm (pdf format, 933Kb)
• Hollow Way 7 to 9am and 3 to 6pm (pdf format, 1.2Mb)
• Marston Ferry Road 7am to 7pm (pdf format, 822Kb)
• Marston Ferry Road 7 to 9am and 3 to 6pm (pdf format, 1.6Mb)
• St Clement’s Street 7am to 7pm (pdf format, 650Kb)
• St Cross 7am to 7pm (pdf format, 380Kb)
• Hythe Bridge Street 7am to 7 pm (pdf format, 141Kb)
• Thames Street 7am to 7pm  (pdf format, 131Kb)

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan – Summary (pdf format, 318Kb)

Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (pdf format, 2Mb)

Appx A Traffic Filter M&E Plan Monitoring Data and Evidence (pdf format, 3 MB)

Appx B Corrective Action Framework (pdf format, 995Kb)

The strategic assessment (.pdf format, 2Mb) outlines the expected impacts and benefits of the trial traffic filters and their role in achieving wider objectives and policy outcomes.

The Transport and traffic forecasting report (.pdf format, 1.7Mb) provides details of transport modelling carried out on the trial traffic filters proposal.

The Local model validation report (.pdf format, 4.3Mb) explains how the transport model was developed to predict the impacts of transport plans and projects.

Road Safety Audit Stage 1 report (.pdf format, 2.2Mb) confirms the outcomes of checking the road safety implications of the trial traffic filters.

The air quality assessment (.pdf format, 5.7Mb) provides details on the air quality and carbon emission impacts of the trial traffic filters.

The road collision assessment (.pdf format, 928Kb) provides a summary of the road safety impacts of the trial traffic filters.

The equalities impact assessment report (.pdf format, 2MB) considers the likely impacts of the trial traffic filters on different groups of people, including protected characteristic groups.

Habitats Regulations Assessment Stage 1 report confirms the outcomes of screening for likely significant effects of the trial traffic filters on the Oxford Meadow Special Area of Conservation.

Habitats Regulations Assessment Stage 2 report confirms the outcomes of the assessment of the likely significant effects of the trial traffic filters on the Oxford Meadow Special Area of Conservation.

• Oxford Core Transport Schemes Traffic Filters HRA SIAA for issue to NE report only (pdf format, 671Kb)
• HRA SIAA Appendix A - Proposed Scheme (pdf format, 763Kb)
• HRA SIAA Appendix B - European Sites Within Study Area (pdf format, 832Kb)
• HRA SIAA Appendix C - Affected Road Network (pdf format, 436Kb)
• HRA SIAA Appendix D - Baseline Conditions (pdf format, 1.6Mb)
• HRA SIAA Appendix E - Air Quality Assessment Supporting Information (pdf format, 853Kb)

Business impact assessment (.pdf format, 2.1Mb) provides a qualitative assessment of the potential impacts of the trial traffic filters for different types of businesses across Oxford.