Campaign group to start legal challenge against Oxford congestion charge
‘Open Roads for Oxford’ aims to prevent the scheme being implemented by November 10th
A campaign group says they're prepared to take legal action to try stop Oxford's congestion charge scheme.
It comes after Oxfordshire County Council cabinet approved the temporary £5 daily charge for driving through six roads in the city unless they have a permit or exemption.
A new company called ‘Open Roads for Oxford’ was set up by residents and business owners to seek a legal challenge to the congestion charge, with the aim of preventing the scheme from happening.
Emily Scaysbrook, a director at the company says they are already engaging with solicitors.
She said: “We're still looking into the detail; the officer's recommendation came as part of a 950 page report so that time takes time to get through and there's so much else to work our way through.
“But so be it if that's what it takes. There's plenty else that I'd rather be spending my time on, but this matters and what they're doing is reckless and irresponsible, and something's got to be done about it.”
Oxfordshire County Council says it's not received a legal challenge, so can't comment.
The scheme aims to reduce traffic in the short term while Botley Road remains closed, preventing the start of the traffic filter trial.
The County Council has previously said, ‘it is designed to improve bus services and make it easier for those with permits, including carers, traders and blue badge holders, to travel by car into and around Oxford’.
Ms Scaysbrook says, “I so strongly believe that this is misplaced, the premise is false, the process has been done badly. There's just all sorts of issues about this scheme”.
She added: “This incentivises people who still need to use their car, for whatever reason, to take the remaining roads left open to them.
“Inevitably those roads are going to be more polluting and more congested because cars need to get to wherever they're going on those fewer roads left open - it doesn't make any sense at all.”