16 January 2026
CoHSAT is pleased that the High Court has ruled against Open Roads for Oxford Ltd (ORFOL) and refused them permission to apply for a judicial review of the Temporary Congestion Charge for cars in Oxford. The High Court also required ORFOL to pay costs to Oxfordshire County Council (OCC).
Robin Tucker, Co-Chair of CoHSAT said: “The public can continue to enjoy the improved bus services, safer and less polluted roads, and better access to Oxford that we’ve seen since the Congestion Charge started.”
“We’re also pleased that the County Council will get some costs back – this small pressure group costs all of us Council Tax payers money. Now the Council will be to get on with further improvements to Oxford and its transport system. Despite the progress, there is plenty still to do.”
The Court rejected the ORFOL’s request for a Judicial Review on three grounds. It ruled that ORFOL had not shown that the consultation was flawed, that the Council had considered Equality Act matters sufficiently, and that ORFOL’s third ground rested on these two, so was not valid.
ORFOL have responded with disinformation, portraying this refusal as a ‘stage’, where in fact it is a decision, on which they can make a request for reconsideration at a hearing, which may or may not be agreed. ORFOL are now asking for more money from supporters to fund their company and their request for reconsideration, which in our view is unlikely to succeed.
ORFOL also claim that “If this congestion charge is left in place, traffic filters will follow.” This is also deceptive. The decision to approve experimental Traffic Filters was made in November 2022, and they will follow with or without the Temporary Congestion Charge.
ORFOL say that “Residents and visitors will not be able to drive, without a £70 fine, along the length of any of the following crucial routes into and across the city…”. This is also not true. Residents and visitors from the county, and those with Blue Badges or one of more than 20 other exemptions or permits will be able to pass for free, and the fine is reduced to £35 for prompt payment.
Such misinformation is typical of ORFOL and its partners and we advise everyone not to part with your money and to check the facts on the Oxfordshire County Council website. ORFOL was set up as a Limited Company in July 2025, and has not yet filed accounts.
