# Oxford has had it

> Lib Dem council's new anti-car permit scheme leaves Oxford city centre gridlocked and businesses crippled.
- Title: Oxford has had it · Dailymail | Shortify
- Summary: Lib Dem council's new anti-car permit scheme leaves Oxford city centre gridlocked and businesses crippled. Oxfordshire County Council's traffic filters have…
- Keywords: oxford, lib dem council, traffic filters, anti-car permit scheme, oxfordshire county council, city centre, congestion, business disruption, traffic jams, car park, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16207823/Oxford-Lib-Dem-council-fury-traffic-filters.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-18T23:01:56+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: oxford, lib dem council, traffic filters, anti-car permit scheme, oxfordshire county council, city centre, congestion, business disruption, traffic jams, car park, news, entertainment
## Oxford city centre gridlocked
Oxford city centre experienced severe traffic congestion on Sunday, October 11, 2026, with drivers stuck for hours.
## New anti-car permit scheme
Oxfordshire County Council introduced a £70 fine for drivers passing through six key points without a permit.
## Traffic filters operate 7am-7pm
Traffic filters operate between 7am and 7pm on Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, and St Clement's Street.
## Peak hour restrictions
Two filters operate only during peak hours: 7am-9am and 3pm-6pm, Monday to Saturday.
## Permit requirements
Permits are available for residents, Blue Badge holders, unpaid carers, firefighters, and approved driving instructors.
## Business disruption
Business leaders claim the scheme is destroying Oxford's economic hub by increasing journey times and deterring visitors.
## Mother stranded in car park
A mother was trapped in Westgate Shopping Centre's multi-storey car park for three hours with her two young children.
## Car park staff hand out water
Car park staff handed out water to drivers stuck in the car park for hours due to traffic delays.
## Council blames Half Marathon
Oxfordshire County Council stated the weekend's chaos was caused by the Oxford Half Marathon event attended by 15,000 people.
## Westgate car park impact
Westgate Oxford acknowledged traffic filters are impacting businesses in the city centre, especially without major public transport investment.
## Traffic filters replace congestion charge
The traffic filters replace a temporary £5 congestion charge introduced in October 2025.
## Low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs)
Oxford introduced low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs) in 2021 to prevent cars from taking shortcuts down residential streets.
## Criticism of LTNs
Florence Pugh's father Clinton Pugh criticized LTNs for destroying the Cowley Road economic hub and affecting 250 businesses.
## Council's response
Oxfordshire County Council said they will monitor the traffic filter trial and consider measures to improve city centre flow.
## Oxford Bus Company disruption
Oxford Bus Company reported significant disruption due to roadworks and traffic filters.
## Residents' complaints
Residents claim the traffic filters are too expensive and difficult to travel into Oxford, leaving shops boarded up.
## Key takeaway

Oxfordshire County Council's traffic filters have caused severe congestion and business disruption in Oxford city centre, with residents blaming the scheme for making the area inaccessible.