Decision details

Cabinet had before it a report setting out revisions to the proposed investment plan for surplus income from Oxford’s temporary congestion charge scheme, outlining recommended allocations and justifications for spending to support local transport policies, following the item’s deferral from the previous Cabinet meeting in April.

Cabinet heard from external speakers on several matters, including the performance of the free park and ride scheme, bus usage, schemes to support NHS staff and teachers, active travel infrastructure and improvements in safety for pedestrians and cyclists at junctions.

Councillor Bekah Fletcher, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report.

Cabinet noted the improved reliability and timings of bus services since the temporary congestion charge’s introduction in October, which had also led to increased passengers using bus services. Members thanked the outgoing Cabinet Member for his work on this scheme.

Members particularly highlighted the good value of the proposed £3 Park & Ride offer, the incentives specifically for NHS staff and teachers and junction safety improvements but reflected that future income from the scheme was not guaranteed.

Councillor Fletcher moved and Councillor Gaul seconded the recommendations and they were approved.

RESOLVED to:

a)    Approve the congestion charge investment plan, as detailed at Annex 1 and outlined in paragraph 20, including a £3 combined parking and bus ticket to replace the current free park and ride offer as soon as practically possible after 1 June 2026.

b)    Approve the amendments to the council’s Fees and Charges for 2026/27 as shown in Annex 2

c)    Delegate authority to the Cabinet Member for Transport Management for:

i.               the allocation of any remaining unallocated surplus

ii.             the apportionment of the funds for “Active travel and additional public transport schemes” (Table 1) to specific projects, including but not limited to the list of such schemes in Annex 1