Nearly 257,000 fines have been issued in Oxford since the congestion charge and low traffic neighbourhood schemes began, with 13 canceled because the vehicle owner was deceased. The data reveals thousands of cancellations for reasons including administrative errors, emergency services, and diplomatic immunity.
More than a quarter of a million fines have been issued in Oxford since the introduction of the city's congestion charge and low traffic neighbourhood ( LTN ) schemes, with a Freedom of Information request revealing that even deceased drivers have been caught by the enforcement cameras.
According to data from Oxfordshire County Council, a total of 256,900 penalty notices have been issued since the congestion charge was implemented in October 2024 and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras began monitoring LTNs in May 2024. Of these, nearly 14,000 fines were later cancelled for various reasons, including 13 cases where the registered vehicle owner was dead at the time the fine was issued.
The data does not explain how a car belonging to a deceased person ended up driving through a restricted zone, but it does list 64 distinct reasons for voiding penalties, which range from diplomatic immunity to prison sentences. In total, more than 5,000 cancellations were due to administrative errors, such as motorists having already paid the charge.
Other voided fines include 1,000 for taxis, over 4,000 for vehicles without a registered keeper, 36 for ambulances, 16 for police cars, and two for fire engines. Disabled and medically exempt drivers also received cancellations, as well as a small number of foreign-registered and untraceable vehicles. The congestion charge applies to cars and motorhomes driving through specific bottleneck routes in Oxford, primarily around the Botley Road roadworks.
It is enforced year-round, including bank holidays, and carries a fine of £70, reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days. The council expects to raise £5.2 million from the charge, which will be used to fund a new express bus service connecting park-and-ride sites to the John Radcliffe Hospital. The charge is temporary and is scheduled to end in August 2025 at the earliest, once the Botley Road works are complete.
However, the ANPR cameras will remain in place and the traffic filters will continue to operate at the same times and locations. Meanwhile, the LTN scheme, which uses cameras to enforce restrictions in residential areas, has generated 51,209 fines since May 2024. The most ticketed location for congestion charge fines is Thames Street, which has seen 81,493 penalties alone.
The overall fine total for congestion charge violations has reached 205,691, with 175,000 of those issued in the last four and a half months. The council said that the data highlights the scale of non-compliance, but also the range of circumstances that lead to cancellations. Critics argue that the system is too rigid and penalizes vulnerable people, while supporters say it is necessary to reduce traffic and fund sustainable transport.
The council has urged drivers to check if they are eligible for exemptions or permits, which are available for residents, community health workers, unpaid carers, and certain disabled drivers. The controversy over the fines continues, with some calling for a more lenient approach and others insisting that the rules must be enforced to ensure fairness and reduce congestion.
Overall, the figures show that nearly 257,000 fines have been issued, with thousands canceled due to mistakes or unique circumstances, including the 13 cases involving deceased owners. The council has not commented on whether any of the fines involving deceased drivers were actually paid before cancellation. The FOI request also revealed that two fines were canceled because the owner was in prison, and one was for a diplomatic vehicle.
The data does not provide a breakdown of how many fines were appealed or paid, but the council has processed over 14,000 cancellations. The program remains a topic of debate among residents, with many expressing frustration over what they see as an overly aggressive enforcement system. Oxfordshire County Council maintains that the measures are temporary and necessary to keep traffic moving during essential roadworks, and that the penalties are in line with other UK cities.
The future of the congestion charge after the roadworks end is unclear, but the council has indicated that the ANPR infrastructure could be repurposed for other traffic management schemes. For now, drivers are advised to be aware of the restrictions and ensure they have paid the charge or obtained an exemption to avoid a fine
Oxford Congestion Charge Fines LTN Deceased Drivers
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