Oxford congestion charge pays for cheaper bus travel for some

Cabinet member for finance, councillor Dan Levy, said: “There was lots of negativity when we introduced [the congestion charge]. I think that we have proved that doing what we have done has really made an enormous difference”.

Once the temporary congestion charge ends, the council is set to introduce its traffic filters scheme – and cabinet member for adults, councillor Tim Bearder admitted that means these subsidies cannot be permanent.

“The traffic filters are designed not to raise revenue so… to everybody who’s benefitting from this currently, I think they need to be aware we may not have this money in the future” he said.

Walker said: “We have to remember this is only temporary with the bus gates that are due to come in later this year. This income could completely disappear, so it seems to be a bit of short-term gimmick to perhaps win over certain occupations” he said.