Since the congestion charge kicked in October 2024, Oxfordshire County Council has issued 256,900 penalty notices, with 14,000 later cancelled. 13 of those cancellations involved vehicles whose registered owners were already dead, a fact revealed by a Freedom of Information request.

Oxford’s 257,000‑Fine Toll and the 13 Deceased Cases

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 ANPR cameras began monitoring low‑traffic neighbourhoods (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 council has not commented on whether any of the fines involving deceased drivers were actually paid before cancellation.

Administrative Errors and Special‑Case Exemptions

The FOI data lists 64 distinct reasons for voiding penalties, ranging from diplomatic immunity to prison sentences. 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.

Thames Street : The Hotspot for Congestion Charge Violations

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 says the figures highlight the scale of non‑compliance, but also the range of circumstances that lead to cancellations.

Future of the Charge and ANPR Infrastructure

The congestion 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. The council has indicated that the ANPR infrastructure could be repurposed for other traffic management schemes once the roadworks finish.

Who Is Still Uncertain About the Fine Process?

While the council has provided a broad overview of cancellations, it has not supplied a breakdown of how many fines were appealed or paid. Critics argue that the system is too rigid and penalises vulnerable people, while supporters say it is necessary to reduce traffic and fund sustainable transport. 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 .