Data from MRI software has shown a small rise in pedestrian numbers in central Oxford following the introduction of the city's temporary congestion charge.
Compared to the same period a year prior, the figures showed a 1% increase across the four months immediately following the charge's introduction.
Introduced at points on six roads into Oxford, the charge came into effect on 29 October and was designed to reduce traffic in the city while Botley Road remains closed and the council's traffic filter trial is delayed. A charge of £5 per day is payable to drive a car through the six congestion charge locations, although cars with permits and all other vehicles can go through the temporary congestion charge locations without paying.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council's cabinet member for transport management, said: ‘It's reassuring to see that from the limited footfall data we now have, the Queen Street figures are positive, particularly in comparison with other town and city centres which have seen some decline, according to the same data provider. It gives an indication that Oxford city centre remains an attractive and thriving destination for shopping and leisure.
‘This small increase may be a result of many factors, and we cannot attribute it to the temporary congestion charge. It's still too early to draw any firm conclusions about data trends, and the data we're collecting will help us build a picture over time of how the temporary charge is working.
‘We're working hard to secure more detailed footfall and consumer spending data for locations across Oxford, but there have been some frustrating challenges sourcing this data.'
Oxfordshire County Council is publishing monthly data to assist with the monitoring of the temporary congestion charge. Data for November, December and January have now been published, although the council does note that some data sets are ‘not yet available', including spend figures, which are being held back ‘while anomalies are being investigated'.
It also stated that ‘travel patterns and external factors will continue to change', but that the data that is being collected will help ‘build a picture over time of how the scheme is working and highlight any issues the council may need to address'.
