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.

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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 impact of the congestion charge on Oxford’s businesses has been revealed in a new survey (Image: Oxfordshire County Council)

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.

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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.

More businesses in Oxford reported customer decreases (29 per cent) than increases (21 per cent) (Image: NQ)

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.

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“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.