Decision details

The Chair introduced the item, invited speakers to make their addresses and responded to their points in turn.

Officers pointed out that the intention of the ZEZ pilot scheme was to inform the development of the permanent scheme.

Officers noted that discounts for businesses, taxis, and private homes are scheduled to end by August 2025, with residents' discounts ending by August 2030. It was noted that consultation on Blue Badge holder discounts is planned.

Officers confirmed that the pilot scheme has shown a 25% reduction in motor vehicle movements and a 15% reduction in nitrogen dioxide, outperforming expectations, across the boundary of the scheme.

On the question of timing, officers confirmed that the wider ZEZ is expected to be introduced late 2027 or early 2028, if approved, following the completion of the works on the Botley Road and subsequent traffic filter scheme monitoring.

The Chair noted that the scheme reduces potential income to the County Council, taking into account the cost-of-living crisis, whilst still delivering improvements in air quality and reducing vehicle movements in the city as the scheme set out to do.

The Chair stated that the scheme still recognised the need of residents who need to use the streets, such as blue badge holders and public transport.

The Chair thanked officers for their work, speakers for their contributions and agreed to the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED to:

Instruct officers to amend the ZEZ pilot charging order to:

a) Remove the discount end date for Blue Badge holders and disabled tax class vehicles;

b) Remove the discount end date for ZEZ businesses' vehicles;

c) Remove the discount end date for ZEZ residents’ vehicles;

d) Remove the end date for the hybrid taxis and hybrid private hire vehicles transitional period, and

e) Continue the current ZEZ charges indefinitely, instead of doubling the charges in August 2025 as previously planned.