Online claims stated visitors and patients would soon be charged for dropping off those visiting hospital, similar to those seen at airports across the country.
A poster on social media site Nextdoor said “There was a secret meeting amongst our car loving councillors responsible for the congestion charge to start charging you to go to Hospital.
“In the same way the denial of the congestion charge before the County Council elections.
“This time the car has been let out of the bag by one of their own.
“That councillor stated privately it’s all gone too far. Clearly that councillor knows what the implications will be with elections in 2028 for the new Unitary Authority.”
John Radcliffe Hospital (Image: Newsquest)
Most commenters called the idea “draconian” and “not surprising”.
But a spokesperson for Oxford University Hospitals said the claim was absolutely not the case and not true at all.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Oxfordshire County Council said the post is misinformation.
It is unclear if these claims meant a drop off charge within the hospital car park or if it was suggesting the council was considering introducing a congestion charge fine in the roads surround the hospital, like Headington Road and Headley Way.
The current congestion charge operates on Hythe Bridge Street, St Cross Road, Thames Street, St Clements Street, Marston Ferry Road and Holloway Way.
The upcoming traffic filter trial will operate similarly to the temporary congestion charge, with the filters being at the same six locations and a permit scheme in place.
This scheme will open after Botley Road reopens, which is currently set for Sunday, September 20.
Most airports today charge for dropping off travellers (Image: Denise Bradley)
The last time parking fees went up for John Radcliffe Hospital was in 2023 when over four hours parking became £8 and it became £15 for stays over six hours.
Overnight parking which was previously free, became £2.
At the hospital now up to 30 minutes is currently free, but up to an hour is £2.20.
At the moment NHS hospital do not typically operate drop-off charges, instead hospital drop-offs rely on standard short-stay car parks grace period.
Royal Free Hospital in London currently operates only a 5 minute drop off time, a stark difference to the usual 30 minutes given,
A £7 airport charge currently applies at Heathrow airport every time a vehicle enters the terminal drop-off areas.
The airport made headlines when they introduced a £5 charge in November 2021, which was promptly increased to £6 in 2025.
If drivers enter a second time they will need to pay again.