PRESS RELEASE: Oxford area residents strongly oppose new traffic filters
Oxford area residents are strongly opposed to the planned introduction of six new traffic filters next year by Oxfordshire County Council, according to a new survey from Oxford Business Action Group (OBAG).
58% oppose the new traffic filters, which will see £70 fines automatically issued to cars driving past new ANPR cameras on six key roads in Oxford, if they don’t have a permit.
The traffic filters, due to go live in August 2026, are supported by only 36% of residents. The traffic filters will operate from 7am–7pm seven days a week on Oxford’s Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, St Cross Road and St Clement's Street, and from 7am–9am and 3pm–6pm Monday to Saturday on Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.
Opposition is highest among those aged 55+ (71%), followed by those aged 35-54 (57%). Among 18-34 year olds, 51% support the plans and 43% oppose.
The traffic filters are opposed by 65% of people living outside Oxford’s ring road. Across the Oxford area, residents are much more likely to strongly oppose the traffic filters (32%) than strongly support them (10%).
Inside Oxford’s ring road, the strength of feeling is stronger among opponents of the traffic filters than among supporters, with 24% strongly opposed, 24% tending to oppose, 37% tending to support, and 13% strongly in support.
Across the Oxford area, residents said the traffic filters will make many everyday journeys more difficult. 50% stated they will make access to medical facilities more difficult and 44% stated that they will make shopping more difficult. 38% said they will make seeing family and friends harder, and 38% that getting to and from work and business meetings will be more challenging.
“Extreme measures like these traffic filters are not wanted by residents of the Oxford area,” said Jeremy Mogford, chairman of OBAG, “by effectively closing six key roads in Oxford to most private cars most of the time, Oxfordshire County Council will make everyday journeys much longer and more challenging. The traffic filters will badly damage the economic and cultural vibrancy of Oxford, and cause businesses to close. They will add to the very serious new congestion in East Oxford caused by LTNs.
“Many local people rely on cars – particularly families, older people and the 700,000, who live outside the ring road, which is the real driver of the city’s economy – it’s time Oxfordshire County Council stopped making their lives more difficult,” added Mogford. “Instead of divisive anti-car ideology, we need sensible, harmonious transport policies embracing walking, cycling, taxis, buses and the car. We know that many local journeys can only be made by car. An alternative solution for all does exist without imposing traffic filters on our city.”
The following percentages of people said the traffic filters would make these activities more difficult:
45%, using leisure facilities such as theatres and cinemas
42%, eating out in restaurants and cafes
33%, taking children to and from extracurricular activities
29%, taking children to and from school
23%, visiting place of worship
Other findings from the survey include:
62% said Oxfordshire County Council has the wrong priorities for traffic and transport in and around Oxford
64% said Oxfordshire County Council is anti-car
34% said Oxfordshire County Council is doing a good job at managing traffic in and around Oxford
34% said Oxfordshire County Council maintaining the roads well
About Oxford Business Action Group: We represent Oxford’s brilliant and diverse business community, promoting their needs in regular and open discussion with the city and county councils. We are apolitical, though we welcome conversation with local civic leaders, community representatives and change makers. We believe in a sustainable, positive future for local businesses: one supported by fair, data-driven solutions to local issues, and meaningful engagement between councils and key stakeholders. We will campaign for a future that aligns with this vision.
About Savanta: Savanta is a leading global research and advisory company specialising in delivering evidence-based insights that drive positive change. We work with media organisations, Press release blue-chip companies, charities and the public sector to help them make better-informed decisions and achieve meaningful progress.
Methodology for survey: Savanta surveyed online 445 residents of the following OX postcodes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33 and 44. Fieldwork took place 6th – 17th March 2025. Data were weighted to be representative of the area by age, gender and local authority area. Savanta is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. The areas inside the red lines on the map below are the areas surveyed.
