Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/007

Key decision

Contact: Hannah Battye, Head of Place Shaping

Hannah.battye@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Environment and Highways (CA8)

Cabinet will be asked to consider officer recommendations for uses of the income generated by the temporary congestion charge

Following Cabinet’s 21 April 2026 deferral, and request to consider revised recommendations in relation to the Congestion Charge Investment Plan,  Cabinet is RECOMMENDED 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

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

Cabinet Member: Transport Management

Forward Plan Ref: 2026/007

Key decision

Contact: Hannah Battye, Head of Place shaping

Hannah.battye@oxfordshire.gov.uk

Report by Director of Environment and Highways

Cabinet will be asked to consider officer recommendations for uses of the income generated by the temporary congestion charge

Cabinet is RECOMMENDED to:

a)    approve “part 1” of the congestion charge investment plan, as detailed at Annex 1 and outlined in paragraph 23

b)    approve “part 2” of the congestion charge investment plan, as detailed at Annex 1 and outlined in paragraph 23

c)    confirm that allocations to specific projects or schemes in line with the areas of spend identified in Part 2 of the investment plan (including the reserve) can be made under the delegation authorised by resolution (e) of the 10 September 2025 cabinet decision:

·       delegate approval for future surplus investment to the Director for Environment and Highways, in consultation with the Executive Director of Resources and Section 151 Officer, Cabinet Member for Transport Management and Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Transformation.

Item deferred to the meeting on 19 May 2026.

Cabinet had before it a report setting out 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.

Cabinet heard from external speakers on matters including the performance of the free park and ride scheme, bus usage, impacts on small businesses, monitoring arrangements, and proposals for express hospital bus services and enhanced active travel infrastructure.

Councillor Andrew Gant, Cabinet Member for Transport Management, presented the report.

Cabinet acknowledged the positive outcomes identified to date, including reduced congestion and improved bus reliability, but agreed that further stakeholder engagement and refinement of the proposals was required before formal approval.

RESOLVED to defer consideration of this item to the meeting on 19 May 2026.