Alex Chan
@alexwlchan.net
belatedly, tagging the blog post on the end of this thread: alexwlchan.net/2025/ox-in-o...
Can you take an ox to Oxford?
Let's work out exactly when you need to pay Oxford's new congestion charge.
alexwlchan.net
November 27, 2025 at 12:15 PM
belatedly, tagging the blog post on the end of this thread: alexwlchan.net/2025/ox-in-o...
can’t believe the former owner of chaos house is on reddit
November 25, 2025 at 10:19 PM
can’t believe the former owner of chaos house is on reddit
was Tâf in the room and drooling on the baby monitor
November 22, 2025 at 12:49 PM
was Tâf in the room and drooling on the baby monitor
I would be outraged, but as somebody hoping to move to London for what I think are similar reasons, I am in no position to judge
November 21, 2025 at 1:10 PM
I would be outraged, but as somebody hoping to move to London for what I think are similar reasons, I am in no position to judge
It would be rude not to :)
November 21, 2025 at 9:27 AM
It would be rude not to :)
Maybe they want the child actors to have lived experience of how overworked and stressed Hermione is in the third book, when she uses time travel to attend a dozen classes simultaneously but never has an extra nap
November 20, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Maybe they want the child actors to have lived experience of how overworked and stressed Hermione is in the third book, when she uses time travel to attend a dozen classes simultaneously but never has an extra nap
how dare u
a combination of returning to work after my lunch break and calling somebody about fixing a window
a combination of returning to work after my lunch break and calling somebody about fixing a window
November 20, 2025 at 1:30 PM
how dare u
a combination of returning to work after my lunch break and calling somebody about fixing a window
a combination of returning to work after my lunch break and calling somebody about fixing a window
I think strictly speaking no, but the site where you pay the charge doesn’t seem to apply a discount for it
(Did I find the numberplate of a Reliant Robin so I could plug it into the app and check? Yes)
(Did I find the numberplate of a Reliant Robin so I could plug it into the app and check? Yes)
November 20, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I think strictly speaking no, but the site where you pay the charge doesn’t seem to apply a discount for it
(Did I find the numberplate of a Reliant Robin so I could plug it into the app and check? Yes)
(Did I find the numberplate of a Reliant Robin so I could plug it into the app and check? Yes)
So the argument goes:
1. An ox cart is not mechanically propelled
2. So an ox cart is not a motor vehicle
3. So it’s not a class M1(a) or M1(b)
4. So it’s not a relevant vehicle under the Oxford Congestion Charging Order
5. So you don’t have to pay congestion charge
🐎 > 🚗
1. An ox cart is not mechanically propelled
2. So an ox cart is not a motor vehicle
3. So it’s not a class M1(a) or M1(b)
4. So it’s not a relevant vehicle under the Oxford Congestion Charging Order
5. So you don’t have to pay congestion charge
🐎 > 🚗
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
So the argument goes:
1. An ox cart is not mechanically propelled
2. So an ox cart is not a motor vehicle
3. So it’s not a class M1(a) or M1(b)
4. So it’s not a relevant vehicle under the Oxford Congestion Charging Order
5. So you don’t have to pay congestion charge
🐎 > 🚗
1. An ox cart is not mechanically propelled
2. So an ox cart is not a motor vehicle
3. So it’s not a class M1(a) or M1(b)
4. So it’s not a relevant vehicle under the Oxford Congestion Charging Order
5. So you don’t have to pay congestion charge
🐎 > 🚗
Okay, so what’s a “mechanically propelled vehicle”? Let’s ask the CPS:
“The term ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is […] for the court to decide. […] it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means.”
www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-....
“The term ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is […] for the court to decide. […] it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means.”
www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-....
Road Traffic - Summary Offences | The Crown Prosecution Service
www.cps.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Okay, so what’s a “mechanically propelled vehicle”? Let’s ask the CPS:
“The term ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is […] for the court to decide. […] it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means.”
www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-....
“The term ‘mechanically propelled vehicle’ is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is […] for the court to decide. […] it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means.”
www.cps.gov.uk/prosecution-....
I think this is based on paragraph 185 of the Road Traffic Act 1988:
”‘motor vehicle’ means, subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 […], a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads”
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/5...
”‘motor vehicle’ means, subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 […], a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads”
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/5...
Road Traffic Act 1988
An Act to consolidate certain enactments relating to road traffic with amendments to give effect to recommendations of the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission.
www.legislation.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I think this is based on paragraph 185 of the Road Traffic Act 1988:
”‘motor vehicle’ means, subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 […], a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads”
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/5...
”‘motor vehicle’ means, subject to section 20 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970 […], a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on roads”
www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/5...
I actually thought for a moment that an ox-drawn cart could plausibly qualify, under the “at least 400kg or a 15kW engine”, because some of those carts are heavy!
But we have that tricksy line: “references to a ‘motor vehicle’ are to a motor vehicle…”
What does a “motor vehicle” mean here?
But we have that tricksy line: “references to a ‘motor vehicle’ are to a motor vehicle…”
What does a “motor vehicle” mean here?
November 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I actually thought for a moment that an ox-drawn cart could plausibly qualify, under the “at least 400kg or a 15kW engine”, because some of those carts are heavy!
But we have that tricksy line: “references to a ‘motor vehicle’ are to a motor vehicle…”
What does a “motor vehicle” mean here?
But we have that tricksy line: “references to a ‘motor vehicle’ are to a motor vehicle…”
What does a “motor vehicle” mean here?
Okay, so let’s go read that law.
A “motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle with
(a) at least four wheels
(b) at least 400kg or a 15kW engine
(c) used for passengers
(d) is not a motor caravan
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/27...
A “motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle with
(a) at least four wheels
(b) at least 400kg or a 15kW engine
(c) used for passengers
(d) is not a motor caravan
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/27...
November 20, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Okay, so let’s go read that law.
A “motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle with
(a) at least four wheels
(b) at least 400kg or a 15kW engine
(c) used for passengers
(d) is not a motor caravan
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/27...
A “motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle with
(a) at least four wheels
(b) at least 400kg or a 15kW engine
(c) used for passengers
(d) is not a motor caravan
www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2001/27...
Further down in the charging order, in paragraph 1(ff):
“‘Vehicle Classes Regulations’ means the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001”
(Why don’t they just use the full name in 1(j), it just rolls off the tongue!)
“‘Vehicle Classes Regulations’ means the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001”
(Why don’t they just use the full name in 1(j), it just rolls off the tongue!)
November 20, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Further down in the charging order, in paragraph 1(ff):
“‘Vehicle Classes Regulations’ means the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001”
(Why don’t they just use the full name in 1(j), it just rolls off the tongue!)
“‘Vehicle Classes Regulations’ means the Road User Charging and Workplace Parking Levy (Classes of Motor Vehicles) (England) Regulations 2001”
(Why don’t they just use the full name in 1(j), it just rolls off the tongue!)
So what’s an M1 vehicle? Paragraph 1(j) explains:
“‘Class M1’ vehicles are those falling within class M1(a) and class M1(b) as specified in Schedule 1 of the Vehicle Classes Regulations;”
What are the Vehicle Classes Regulations? That’s not a law you can easily find in Google.
“‘Class M1’ vehicles are those falling within class M1(a) and class M1(b) as specified in Schedule 1 of the Vehicle Classes Regulations;”
What are the Vehicle Classes Regulations? That’s not a law you can easily find in Google.
November 20, 2025 at 1:11 PM
So what’s an M1 vehicle? Paragraph 1(j) explains:
“‘Class M1’ vehicles are those falling within class M1(a) and class M1(b) as specified in Schedule 1 of the Vehicle Classes Regulations;”
What are the Vehicle Classes Regulations? That’s not a law you can easily find in Google.
“‘Class M1’ vehicles are those falling within class M1(a) and class M1(b) as specified in Schedule 1 of the Vehicle Classes Regulations;”
What are the Vehicle Classes Regulations? That’s not a law you can easily find in Google.
IANAL, but I think the answer is no
Paragraph 3 of the charging order says:
“A relevant vehicle is a Class M1 vehicle that is not—
(a) a non-chargeable vehicle: or
(b) a permitted vehicle.”
where permitted/non-chargeable includes e.g. taxis, ambulances.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
Paragraph 3 of the charging order says:
“A relevant vehicle is a Class M1 vehicle that is not—
(a) a non-chargeable vehicle: or
(b) a permitted vehicle.”
where permitted/non-chargeable includes e.g. taxis, ambulances.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk
November 20, 2025 at 1:10 PM
IANAL, but I think the answer is no
Paragraph 3 of the charging order says:
“A relevant vehicle is a Class M1 vehicle that is not—
(a) a non-chargeable vehicle: or
(b) a permitted vehicle.”
where permitted/non-chargeable includes e.g. taxis, ambulances.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
Paragraph 3 of the charging order says:
“A relevant vehicle is a Class M1 vehicle that is not—
(a) a non-chargeable vehicle: or
(b) a permitted vehicle.”
where permitted/non-chargeable includes e.g. taxis, ambulances.
www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/sites/defaul...
brb off to hide some incriminating evidence in the Parliamentary archive
November 15, 2025 at 8:57 PM
brb off to hide some incriminating evidence in the Parliamentary archive
the government should be very careful about scheduling debates on fire safety, smoking legislation, or the Grenfell Tower inquiry
imagine the headline
imagine the headline
November 15, 2025 at 8:56 PM
the government should be very careful about scheduling debates on fire safety, smoking legislation, or the Grenfell Tower inquiry
imagine the headline
imagine the headline
This decision was shared in a file named “Parliament renovation plan v2 final (1).docx”
November 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This decision was shared in a file named “Parliament renovation plan v2 final (1).docx”
let’s print some fliers saying it’s the meeting point for the local youth club and trans support group
it’ll be disappeared in a week
it’ll be disappeared in a week
November 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
let’s print some fliers saying it’s the meeting point for the local youth club and trans support group
it’ll be disappeared in a week
it’ll be disappeared in a week