Oxford News
Oxford congestion charge hits hospitality hardest, survey shows
Oxfordshire County Council today (June 15) published a long-awaited report by Survation Ltd on the impact of the controversial congestion charge on 300 businesses across the city.
It presents a survey carried out by Indiefield on businesses in postcodes from OX1 to OX4 between April 30 and May 15.
READ MORE: Oxford: Elderly woman hospitalised after ‘attempted robbery’
The survey found that the most common pressure reported by businesses was rising costs (69 per cent), while economic uncertainty and transport or travel costs followed closely as key pressures, reported 61 per cent of businesses.
The survey found shop-front businesses, including retail, hospitality and tourism, were most likely to report the congestion charge has had a negative overall effect at 47 per cent compared to 24 per cent for other business types.
Shop-front businesses were similarly most to say to the charge has decreased customer numbers (58 per cent versus 18 per cent), made deliveries or servicing more difficult (57 per cent versus 33 per cent), and increased operating costs (43 per cent versus 33 per cent).
Across business types, 39 per cent said deliveries or servicing has become more difficult and more businesses have reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent).
However, overall, most businesses in Oxford said they are performing well (72 per cent) and 79 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better.
READ MORE: 15 caravans set up ‘unauthorised encampment’ in Oxford park
The council’s survey indicated that nearly half of businesses (48 per cent) reported no noticeable effect from the congestion charge, while 30 per cent reported negative impacts and 22 per cent positive.
Spend in Oxford’s suburban food and beverage destinations has gone down more than average with comparable cities, and businesses with mobile or transport-intensive operations reported sharper pressures on their trade, particularly around costs and travel.
Councillor Gareth Epps, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “This new data gives us an evidence-based picture of how businesses are faring in the city.
“There are many challenges affecting businesses at this time, and data can help us understand what is having an impact.
“While it’s great that nearly 80 per cent of businesses who gave a view on their performance compared to a year ago said they are doing the same or better, it is clear that many are feeling significant pressures due to a number of local and national factors.
“There is still more to do to improve travel in and around Oxford and help keep the city moving.
READ MORE: Police cordon off Oxford road amid ‘suspicious package’
“The traffic filters trial, from autumn, is one way we’ll further reduce traffic.”
It’s the first monitoring report on the impact of the temporary traffic scheme on businesses to have been published by the council, after it was initially promised that data would come out in January.
The temporary congestion charge has been in place on six roads in Oxford since October 29, designed to help reduce traffic while Botley Road remains closed and the traffic filter trial is delayed.
Preparation works for the new Oxpens River Bridge are set to begin imminently in Grandpont Nature Park, and a key footpath connecting North Hinksey to the city centre could close for more than a year to enable them to happen.
Originally scheduled to shut on Monday, August 3, the closure of the well-used path through Grandpont Nature Park has now been pushed back to Monday, August 17, according to signage displayed on the route.
On the other side of the river, the footpath through Oxpens Meadow was due to shut from Wednesday, July 29.
READ MORE: Oxford neighbourhood ‘cut off’ by 56-week footpath closure
Though an approved temporary traffic regulation order allows for a closure of up to 56 weeks, Oxford City Council said the paths are expected to reopen in Spring 2027.
The city council earlier said that while it recognises the paths are used as a diversion during the long-running Botley Road closure, waiting until it reopened would delay the delivery of the bridge project.
The Oxpens River Bridge is a controversial scheme to redevelop the Oxford West End, providing a new crossing for walkers and cyclists between Oxpens Road and Grandpont, which received significant opposition from locals.
The bridge’s construction is expected to be completed at the same time as the footpaths reopen in spring next year.
Fred Hart, aged 33, a staff member at Headquarters North, Kidlington, has been sentenced to six months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, following a hearing at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (August 8).
It follows his conviction at an earlier hearing in which he pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images/pseudo images of children.
READ MORE: Wallingford – Police say drug dealing will ‘not be tolerated’
He was also made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for five years, and placed on the registered sex offenders list for seven years. Additionally, he was made the subject of a 35-day rehabilitation order.
Hart was suspended immediately from his duties, which were non-public facing, when the investigation was launched in October 2024.
According to the court record Hart, of Cirencester, made two category A, eight category B and 32 category C indecent images of children.
Deputy Chief Constable for Thames Valley Police, Ben Snuggs, said: “I trust that the decisive action taken by Thames Valley Police to investigate and prosecute Hart’s actions underline to all our commitment to maintaining the high standards we all expect in policing.
“The offences he has been convicted of and sentenced for are extremely serious and have absolutely no place within our police force.
“I am grateful to the officers who diligently and professionally investigated his crimes, which led to him pleading guilty.”
The 56-year-old TV presenter was recently fined £999 by a court after he was caught speeding twice in the space of three weeks while driving his luxury cars.
Documents from his court case show the former Top Gear host was caught out by a police officer with a handheld speed camera at just before 1pm on December 2 last year.
His Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo was clocked at 68mph in a 50mph limit on the A40 in Pencraig, Herefordshire.
At around 11.45am on December 22, Hammond’s Bentley Continental GT was speeding at 82mph in a 70mph limit on the A50 Rudhall Overbridge in Herefordshire.
READ MORE: Jeremy Clarkson is supported by Lisa during difficult time
Mr Hammond was prosecuted and convicted for the speeding offences on July 22 in the Single Justice Procedure – a fast-track court process which allows magistrates to sit behind closed doors to deal with low level criminal cases.
Now, though, the floor is his as his online motoring community Drivetribe is hosting a Q&A with the ex Grand Tour host.
Viewers are being asked to provide questions to Mr Hammond relating to six Grand Tour specials.
It includes Lochdown (Series 4, Episode 3), Carnage a Trois (Series 4, Episode 4), A Scandi Flick (Series 5, Episode 1), Eurocrash (Series 5, Episode 2), Sand Job (Series 5, Episode 3), One for the Road (Series 6, Episode 1).
Mr Hammond famously presented the motoring show alongside Oxfordshire farmer Jeremy Clarkson and James May.
The trio started together on BBC Top Gear in 2003, which grew to be one of the most watched TV shows in the world.
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoHSBC UK & Visa test AI shopping with live payments
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoMouser warns against viral hacks to cool overheating phones
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoValarian lands USD $50 million backing for sovereign AI
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoNew romantasy bookshop attracts queues of customers
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoKane tops England influencer rankings after Mexico win
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoSNP & Palantir launch AI tools for SAP transformations
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoDWP now checking bank accounts for Universal Credit and Pension Credit
-
Oxford Events4 weeks agoHenley Festival 2026 highlights: Five nights of unforgettable performances and festival moments