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BBC News
25-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Temporary housing strategy approved by Windsor council
A new strategy to reduce the costs of providing temporary housing accommodation has been agreed by a Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) spent more than £6m on procuring temporary accommodation, with grants and rental income only covering some £2.4m of the new strategy is aimed at making temporary accommodation more effective, with a new hostel redevelopment and 32 additional social units also nearing member for housing on the Liberal Democrat-run council, Catherine Del Campo, said it would have to "make tough decisions". RBWM offers temporary accommodation options to fulfil its homelessness commitments. These include bed and breakfasts, hostels, and hotels but also long-term options in the private rented the UK, the use of temporary accommodation increased by 15% in the two years up to March Royal Borough's use was more than three times higher - reaching 46%.Ms Del Campo said: "We really need to get a handle on prevention first of all, making sure that households don't reach the point of needing temporary accommodation."We will have to make tough decisions where we no longer owe a duty of care to residents in temporary accommodation."But my hope is that a proactive prevention approach and support into the private sector, we can minimise the risk of that occurring." 'Vulnerable families' Conservative opposition councillor Sally Coneron said the crisis had occurred "despite clear signs of rising demand and cost pressures"."It looks like reactive government, not proactive leadership and vulnerable families are paying the price for the delay," she Del Campo said the authority had been "too dependant" on house offer flexibility as they can be booked on the day, but have a high nightly 2025-2028 strategy includes three focus areas - demand, supply and is continuing work on the John West House hostel redevelopment, due to offer seven rough sleeper units and up to 12 emergency units for homeless for 32 additional social units as part of the Sawyers Close development in Windsor were also approved in 2023. The first completed new homes are expected in 2026. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
South Wales Guardian
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- South Wales Guardian
Consultation opens on charging drivers £5 for entering city centre
Oxfordshire County Council said it is proposing to charge drivers £5 per day to enter parts of Oxford city centre. The Liberal Democrat-run local authority claimed the plan has a series of objectives, such as reducing traffic, making bus journeys faster, improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and cutting air pollution. Our cabinet approved the public consultation for our proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge. You'll be able to share your views on Let's Talk Oxfordshire from Monday 23 June. Find out more about our proposal: — Oxfordshire County Council (@OxfordshireCC) June 18, 2025 London and Durham – the only other parts of the UK with congestion charges – introduced their schemes in the early 2000s. A number of other cities have implemented clean air zones, which charge vehicles that fail to meet minimum emission standards. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to launch the temporary congestion charge in the autumn. It said 'urgent action is needed' to reduce delays to buses, partly caused by the temporary closure of Botley Road since April 2023 because of a Network Rail project to expand the city's railway station. The congestion charge would remain until the introduction of a traffic filtering trial once Botley Road reopens, which is expected to be in August 2026. It could be in place as a temporary measure for up to two years, the council said. The scheme would apply only to cars and be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at six locations. Cars with a permit or day pass would be able to pass through the charging area without paying. The council is planning to make permits available for groups such as residents, blue badge holders, frequent hospital patients, taxis and private hire vehicles. Electric cars will not be exempt from the daily fee as the scheme's purpose would be to 'reduce traffic by reducing the number of car journeys', according to the local authority. The council said income generated by the congestion charge would be used to cover the cost of setting up and operating the system, with any additional money going towards discounted park and ride services and improved bus services. The consultation opened on Monday and runs for six weeks. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said residents need assurances that the scheme will end within two years as there have been 'too many times' when charges that are 'supposedly temporary' are kept because they become 'too lucrative'. He added: 'Ultimately, the aim of the council is to reduce car traffic while creating a better alternative via buses and bikes. 'Expanded park and ride or park and pedal facilities would contribute in a big way towards that ambition.'
Leader Live
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Consultation opens on charging drivers £5 for entering city centre
Oxfordshire County Council said it is proposing to charge drivers £5 per day to enter parts of Oxford city centre. The Liberal Democrat-run local authority claimed the plan has a series of objectives, such as reducing traffic, making bus journeys faster, improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and cutting air pollution. Our cabinet approved the public consultation for our proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge. You'll be able to share your views on Let's Talk Oxfordshire from Monday 23 June. Find out more about our proposal: — Oxfordshire County Council (@OxfordshireCC) June 18, 2025 London and Durham – the only other parts of the UK with congestion charges – introduced their schemes in the early 2000s. A number of other cities have implemented clean air zones, which charge vehicles that fail to meet minimum emission standards. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to launch the temporary congestion charge in the autumn. It said 'urgent action is needed' to reduce delays to buses, partly caused by the temporary closure of Botley Road since April 2023 because of a Network Rail project to expand the city's railway station. The congestion charge would remain until the introduction of a traffic filtering trial once Botley Road reopens, which is expected to be in August 2026. It could be in place as a temporary measure for up to two years, the council said. The scheme would apply only to cars and be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at six locations. Cars with a permit or day pass would be able to pass through the charging area without paying. The council is planning to make permits available for groups such as residents, blue badge holders, frequent hospital patients, taxis and private hire vehicles. Electric cars will not be exempt from the daily fee as the scheme's purpose would be to 'reduce traffic by reducing the number of car journeys', according to the local authority. The council said income generated by the congestion charge would be used to cover the cost of setting up and operating the system, with any additional money going towards discounted park and ride services and improved bus services. The consultation opened on Monday and runs for six weeks. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said residents need assurances that the scheme will end within two years as there have been 'too many times' when charges that are 'supposedly temporary' are kept because they become 'too lucrative'. He added: 'Ultimately, the aim of the council is to reduce car traffic while creating a better alternative via buses and bikes. 'Expanded park and ride or park and pedal facilities would contribute in a big way towards that ambition.'
The Herald Scotland
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
Consultation opens on charging drivers £5 for entering city centre
The Liberal Democrat-run local authority claimed the plan has a series of objectives, such as reducing traffic, making bus journeys faster, improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and cutting air pollution. Our cabinet approved the public consultation for our proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge. You'll be able to share your views on Let's Talk Oxfordshire from Monday 23 June. Find out more about our proposal: — Oxfordshire County Council (@OxfordshireCC) June 18, 2025 London and Durham – the only other parts of the UK with congestion charges – introduced their schemes in the early 2000s. A number of other cities have implemented clean air zones, which charge vehicles that fail to meet minimum emission standards. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to launch the temporary congestion charge in the autumn. It said 'urgent action is needed' to reduce delays to buses, partly caused by the temporary closure of Botley Road since April 2023 because of a Network Rail project to expand the city's railway station. The congestion charge would remain until the introduction of a traffic filtering trial once Botley Road reopens, which is expected to be in August 2026. It could be in place as a temporary measure for up to two years, the council said. The scheme would apply only to cars and be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at six locations. Cars with a permit or day pass would be able to pass through the charging area without paying. The council is planning to make permits available for groups such as residents, blue badge holders, frequent hospital patients, taxis and private hire vehicles. Electric cars will not be exempt from the daily fee as the scheme's purpose would be to 'reduce traffic by reducing the number of car journeys', according to the local authority. The council said income generated by the congestion charge would be used to cover the cost of setting up and operating the system, with any additional money going towards discounted park and ride services and improved bus services. The consultation opened on Monday and runs for six weeks. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said residents need assurances that the scheme will end within two years as there have been 'too many times' when charges that are 'supposedly temporary' are kept because they become 'too lucrative'. He added: 'Ultimately, the aim of the council is to reduce car traffic while creating a better alternative via buses and bikes. 'Expanded park and ride or park and pedal facilities would contribute in a big way towards that ambition.'
North Wales Chronicle
23-06-2025
- Automotive
- North Wales Chronicle
Consultation opens on charging drivers £5 for entering city centre
Oxfordshire County Council said it is proposing to charge drivers £5 per day to enter parts of Oxford city centre. The Liberal Democrat-run local authority claimed the plan has a series of objectives, such as reducing traffic, making bus journeys faster, improving the safety of pedestrians and cyclists, and cutting air pollution. Our cabinet approved the public consultation for our proposed Oxford temporary congestion charge. You'll be able to share your views on Let's Talk Oxfordshire from Monday 23 June. Find out more about our proposal: — Oxfordshire County Council (@OxfordshireCC) June 18, 2025 London and Durham – the only other parts of the UK with congestion charges – introduced their schemes in the early 2000s. A number of other cities have implemented clean air zones, which charge vehicles that fail to meet minimum emission standards. Oxfordshire County Council is proposing to launch the temporary congestion charge in the autumn. It said 'urgent action is needed' to reduce delays to buses, partly caused by the temporary closure of Botley Road since April 2023 because of a Network Rail project to expand the city's railway station. The congestion charge would remain until the introduction of a traffic filtering trial once Botley Road reopens, which is expected to be in August 2026. It could be in place as a temporary measure for up to two years, the council said. The scheme would apply only to cars and be enforced using automatic number plate recognition cameras (ANPR) positioned at six locations. Cars with a permit or day pass would be able to pass through the charging area without paying. The council is planning to make permits available for groups such as residents, blue badge holders, frequent hospital patients, taxis and private hire vehicles. Electric cars will not be exempt from the daily fee as the scheme's purpose would be to 'reduce traffic by reducing the number of car journeys', according to the local authority. The council said income generated by the congestion charge would be used to cover the cost of setting up and operating the system, with any additional money going towards discounted park and ride services and improved bus services. The consultation opened on Monday and runs for six weeks. Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said residents need assurances that the scheme will end within two years as there have been 'too many times' when charges that are 'supposedly temporary' are kept because they become 'too lucrative'. He added: 'Ultimately, the aim of the council is to reduce car traffic while creating a better alternative via buses and bikes. 'Expanded park and ride or park and pedal facilities would contribute in a big way towards that ambition.'
