Oxford News
Judge rules ‘no success’ for fight against congestion charge
In October, Open Roads for Oxford Ltd said it would challenge Oxfordshire County Council‘s congestion charge in Oxford by way of judicial review.
But by January, High Court judge Mr Justice Johnson refused permission for the judicial review to go ahead.
Open Roads for Oxford Ltd then asked for that decision to be reconsidered at a short oral hearing, known as a renewal hearing.
This hearing took place on March 24 before Mr Justice Fordham.
He too has thrown out Open Roads for Oxford Ltd’s application and again refused permission for judicial review.
In his reasoning, Judge Johnson said that there is “not a viable claim for judicial review, on any of the grounds put forward” and added: “None of them has a realistic prospect of success.”
Open Roads for Oxford Ltd argued that the council’s decision to introduce the congestion charge was unlawful. The judge considered whether the challenge should be allowed to proceed to a full hearing.
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The judge refused permission for the case to proceed. This means the legal challenge did not succeed at this stage, and the congestion charge remains in place.
Open Roads for Oxford Ltd alleged that the decision to introduce a congestion charge by Oxfordshire County Council was illegal.
It alleged that the consultation was unlawful and that the equality impacts assessment had breached the public sector equality duty.
Judges Johnson and Fordham disagreed with this, both throwing out taking the case further.
Robin Tucker, of active travel group CoHSAT, said: “We are pleased that Justice Fordham has rejected Open Roads for Oxford Ltd request for a judicial review and the people of Oxford can continue to benefit from quicker travel and less polluted streets.
“Open Roads for Oxford Ltd has wasted over £40,000 pounds of its supporters’ money on a case that the judge described as having no realistic prospect of success.
“But more than that, they were promoting a return to congestion and chaos, and ignoring the benefits of congestion and pollution reductions for the 90 per cent of people who visit Oxford’s centre without using a private car.”
Open Roads for Oxford Ltd has been ordered to pay the costs incurred by the council defending this claim, capped at £10,000.
Open Roads for Oxford Ltd said in a statement: We are obviously hugely disappointed that the High Court refused permission, but we are pleased to have brought the case this far, and grateful to all those who supported us.
“We must be clear: the Court did not say the scheme is fair, or popular, or well evidenced.
“What it said – and all it said – is that the Council met the minimum legal threshold required to proceed.
“It has become clear through this challenge that this is a very low bar.
“Most strikingly, the Court recognised that 66% of respondents said there should be no charges at all, and it acknowledged “identifiable weaknesses” in the Council’s own Equality Impact Assessment (EIA).
“It has effectively confirmed that, in law, a council can consult, receive overwhelming opposition, and still press ahead – so long as it has ticked the required procedural boxes.
“That may be lawful, but it is not democratic accountability.
“And, with regard to the EIA, the Court’s conclusion is telling: flawed does not mean unlawful.
“Through this process we have forced greater transparency and clarified, beyond doubt, the limits of the law in holding a council to account.
“In light of that, we now move our focus elsewhere. The fight is not over.
“We will continue to challenge this – publicly, politically, and relentlessly – because Oxford deserves better than policies imposed in defiance of its residents.
“Change will come through the ‘court’ of public opinion, and, ultimately, at the ballot box.
“We encourage all eligible residents to vote in the city council election on May 7th. Though it is the County Council responsible for the decision to press ahead with this scheme, the City Council has allowed this to happen, and we must use every opportunity to voice our discontent with the status quo. The deadline to register to vote is April 20th.
The coffee dispenser at the Headington Waitrose is out of order and not for the first time according to reports, leaving customers disappointed they can no longer access their free cappuccino or flat white using their Waitrose card.
The Headington News said: “The Headington Waitrose free coffee machine is out of order again today (Saturday 29 August).”
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The notice on the machine at the store in Old High Street says: “The coffee machine is currently out of order. Apologies for the inconvenience.”
The issue is not a universal problem – coffee machines at other Waitrose stores are working well.
The Waitrose chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, restored its free coffee offer in January 2025.
Following outrage over the withdrawal of the offer during the pandemic, the company told the nine million members on its My Waitrose loyalty scheme they would again be entitled to a complementary americano, cappuccino, latte or tea once a day regardless of whether they bought anything – as long as they have their own reusable cup.
In a statement, Waitrose said at the time: “Some of our My Waitrose members like to have the free coffee before they shop or during the shop, rather than afterwards, so we are just offering a bit of flexibility in response to customer feedback.”
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There were queues at coffee stations and complaints from customers that the offer was attracting the “wrong type of shopper” when Waitrose introduced the perk in 2013.
In 2017, it cracked down on ‘freeloaders’ by forcing members to buy something before pouring themselves a free hot drink.
The scheme was scrapped during the Covid crisis, but reintroduced in November 2022 – again for customers making a purchases. This is no longer a requirement.
Thames Valley Police has launched an investigation after a pigeon was killed in a wildlife crime incident in Plover Drive, Oxford, at around 6.50pm on August 24.
The force said that two teenage boys used a catapult to knock a pigeon from a tree before the bird was attacked by three smaller terrier-type dogs that were with them.
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Descriptions of the two boys have been released with the first described as wearing a black sleeveless vest, dark-coloured bottoms, black trainers with white soles.
In addition he had a black-and-white flat-peaked cap worn backwards and was believed to have been carrying a catapult.
The second was reportedly wearing a light-coloured T-shirt and blue jeans, with brown, medium-length hair.
He was also seen carrying an unidentified item.
A spokesperson for the police said: “We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed this incident or who may recognise those involved from the descriptions above.
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“We would also like to hear from anyone with dashcam footage from the Plover Drive area between 6.30pm and 7pm on 24 August that may assist our investigation.
“Wildlife crime has a real impact on our communities, and we take reports of offences against wild animals and birds seriously.
” If you have any information, please contact the force on 101 or report online, quoting reference 43260448136.”
Following the incident in North Way, Barton on Monday, August 17, Thames Valley Police said it wanted the public’s help to locate Oxford local Arthur McDonagh.
The force warned the public not to approach the 33-year-old, but instead to call the police if they see him.
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On Tuesday, August 18, a spokesperson said: “Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help to locate Arthur McDonagh, aged 33, from Oxford.
“He is wanted in connection with a serious assault that happened in North Way, Barton, yesterday (August 17).
“Arthur is known to frequent the Garsington area.
“If you have any information about his whereabouts call 101 or make a report online, quoting reference 43260426989.
“If you see him, do not approach him, but instead call 999.”
Well over a week on, the police has revealed that Mr McDonagh remains at large.
The spokesperson said today (Saturday, August 29): “Arthur McDonagh remains outstanding; our enquiries are ongoing to locate him.”
During the incident emergency services were called to Barton Village Road at about 11.10am.
The force closed North Way to the junction with Edgecombe Road while officers carried out their enquiries.
A damaged white pickup truck was left in the middle of the street, surrounded by broken glass and with what appeared to be blood splattered on the rear right-hand side.
The white pickup truck could be seen behind the police cordon.
There were multiple reports of different weapons being used during the assault, but Thames Valley Police confirmed that they do not believe an axe, bat or machete were used in the attack.
But police declined to say what weapon they do believe was used in the assault.
The force confirmed a man was taken to hospital for treatment, and that he was in a stable condition, and they thanked the local community for their support.
Following the incident, Mike Rowley, Labour councillor for Barton and Sandhills, said his thoughts were with the victim and praised local officers for their response.
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He said: “My thoughts are with the victim as the incident sounds horrible.
“I am in touch with the police, but I’m not expecting any updates yet as their priority is finding the offender and making sure there aren’t any further offences.”
Appeals for public help in finding individuals by the police can relate to suspects, witnesses or others who may have vital information in relation to the incident.
They do not mean the person is to blame nor do they imply guilt.
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