Drivers might need permits just to drive across British city – or face £70 fine

MOTORISTS may soon need a permit to drive through Oxford if drastic traffic plans from the city council are given the green light.

The strict proposals have been met with fury by some local motorists, who would be capped at just 100 days of travel through the city throughout the year.

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Oxfordshire County Council would keep track of the city's residents through automatic number plate recognition cameras.

Up to three permits will be issued to each household, however only residents in Oxford and some areas just outside the city will be able to apply for one.

The limits would be in place seven days a week from 7am to 7pm, and any motorist caught driving without a permit would be slapped with a £70 fine.

The road rule would apply to all vehicles except buses, coaches, vans, lorries, emergency vehicles, blue badge holders, and care workers.

The plans have been met with fury among many motorists in the city, with the council expected to make a decision over whether to implement them next month.

Some residents have taken to Twitter to vent their anger over the potential limits, labelling the proposals as "nonsense".

One commented: "Thinking for five minutes gives you a whole host of people that would be adversely affected.

"There are so many exceptions as to make the policy utterly unworkable".

Another said: "This is absolutely horrendous... how are people supposed to get to work or school?"

"Oxford is determined to destroy itself", said a third.

But Robin Tucker, the chair of the Coalition for Healthy Streets and Active Travel, recently defended the council's plans.

He told the BBC: "Currently our buses are slower than a horse and cart, and our city doesn't feel safe enough to get around.

"We need to see measures including traffic filters, a clean air zone and ways to encourage people away from commuting by car so we can all move freely and get where we want to go."

The county council's website says the plans are "designed to reduce traffic, make bus journeys faster and make walking and cycling safer.

"When they are operating, private cars will not be allowed through the traffic filters without a permit."

Councillor Duncan Enright, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said the filters will aim "to reduce the need to travel in private cars and make walking, cycling and public transport the natural first choice.”

Throughout the city, the traffic filters would be in place on Hythe Bridge Street, Thames Street, St Cross Road, St Clements, Hollow Way, and Marston Ferry Road.