Motorists are being warned that they could face two fines per day for driving inside a major UK city as new rules launch to crack down on traffic and pollution.
Oxfordshire County Council have confirmed that drivers who breach the rules of the Zero Emission Zone and the new traffic filters trial on the same day would receive separate fines if an expansion of the ZEZ were to take place.
Traffic filter cameras have started operating this month in a bid to prevent motorists from using six busy routes across the city.
The Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras aim to reduce traffic levels and will see motorists who do not have an exemption or hold a permit slapped with a £70 fine.
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Drivers are being warned that they could be hit with two fines in one day
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The cameras operate between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week and will impact St Cross Road, Thames Street, Hythe Bridge Street, St Clement's Street, Marston Ferry Road and Hollow Way.
While these routes are not currently inside the Zero Emission Zone charging area, if plans are approved to expand the ZEZ, drivers could be hit with two fines on the same day.
The Zero Emission Zone was first launched in February 2022 to crack down on the number of petrol and diesel drivers operating inside the city centre.
New proposals could see the ZEZ expand to cover a larger area, potentially leading to more fines being handed out. Further assessments and modelling are currently taking place, with a public consultation set to launch next year.
Depending on the outcome of the public consultation, a cabinet decision on whether to proceed with a wider ZEZ will be made in 2026.
At present, if someone with a petrol or diesel vehicle is caught driving inside the Zero Emission Zone without an exemption, they can be hit with various charges.
Ultra low emission vehicles which emit less than 75g/km of CO2 will pay £2 per day, while low emission vehicles (Euro 4 petrol and Euro 6 diesel) pay £4. All other vehicles which do not meet those standards will need to pay £10 per day.
If someone does not pay the charge within 28 days from the date of service, they could be slapped with a £60 charge. This will be reduced to £30 if they pay within 14 days.
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Speaking to Oxford Mail, Councillor David Henwood told of his "disgust" at the potential for motorists to be slapped with multiple fines per day.
The leader of the Independent Oxford Alliance added: "The county council want to squeeze as much money out of the public as possible to fund their pet projects across the county.
"The county council has declared war on the public. We need to work with them, not against them."
However, the proposals have also been met with understanding from other councillors, with Emily Kerr supporting the measures.
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The council is expected to make a decision on the future of the ZEZ in 2026
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
The Green councillor for St Mary's added: "This is fairly theoretical at this stage, but clearly drivers that commit multiple offences would expect to receive a fine for both of them.
"I do not see why this would be any different, but the plans have not been confirmed yet."
