An Oxfordshire councillor is planning on cycling every day in the run-up to Christmas to raise money for the legal battle against a congestion charge.

Currently, motorists face a £5 charge for driving through six roads at certain times without a permit. This is a temporary charge to reduce traffic in the city during Network Rail’s closure of Botley Road. 

According to the council, the congestion charge will reduce traffic, improve bus journey times and make it easier for people, such as carers and blue badge holders, to get around the city. 

The new campaign group, Open Roads for Oxford, was set up to launch a legal challenge against Oxfordshire Council. 

The online GoFundMe fundraiser has already raised over £9,000. This does not include direct donations for the campaign group. 

Councillor David Henwood is cycling every day to raise money for the campaign. He said that if motorists couldn’t stop to donate, he would donate a pound for every car driver who beeps. 

Cllr David Henwood protesting congestion charge
Cllr David Henwood protesting congestion charge (Image Credit: David Henwood)

“I had some bemused looks today, along with some that thought I am plain nuts cycling in the rain,” he told the Oxford Mail. 

“A younger David enjoyed the rain, but I must admit I struggled today. 

“I went from Littlemore up to the Slade today and then turned left at the Headington Roundabout towards Headington and down through Hollow Way and back out onto the cycle track near Tesco’s and back to Littlemore. 

“I will do the same route tomorrow as I’m not ready to do a complete lap of the bypass yet!” 

Cllr Henwood is the group leader on Oxford City Council of the Independent Oxford Alliance. This party campaigns against Low Traffic Neighbourhoods and traffic filters. 

In October this year, he was found to have harassed and bullied a Labour councillor, through posting “untruths” about her on social media. 

The Oxford Clarion reports that he posted that the councillor, Trish Elphinstone, had “betrayed residents” through voting for the Rose Hill Controlled Parking Zone, despite there being no vote for a CPZ at Rose Hill. 

They also reported that he shared a spoof image on social media, claiming that “bike users believe they know better than the rest of us” and “live in blissful ignorance or regard for the needs of others”. 

He has vocally opposed the charge since it was announced. In the council’s public consultation, 74% of respondents said the scheme would have a negative impact.

Almost 14,000 people have also signed a petition against it.

The congestion charge is due to end when Botley Road reopens in August 2026. 

Botley road, Oxford
Botley road, Oxford (Image Credit: Google)

A council spokesperson said, “The temporary congestion charge has been implemented to reduce traffic in the city during Network Rail’s extended closure of Botley Road, making journeys quicker, more connected, more flexible and more reliable.

“The county council will publish data about the scheme’s impacts during its first month of operation next week (Monday, December 8).

The road closure is due to a £161 million expansion of Oxford Station, which includes a new platform and western entrance, as well as significant improvements to the area beneath Botley Road bridge. 

The temporary charge will be replaced by the traffic filter trial, where motorists will be fined up to £70 for driving through the same roads affected by the congestion charge.

The campaign also seeks to prevent the traffic filter trial from going ahead.