04/07/2005

London congestion charge increases

The congestion charge for motorists travelling through London has risen from £5 to £8 per day – an increase of more than 60%.

The road toll, which was introduced in February 2003, has helped reduce congestion in London.

However, the move has angered motorists’ groups and businesses. The Forum of Private Business (FPB) has presented a petition to the London Assembly, opposing the congestion charge rise.

Victoria Carson, the FPB’s Campaigns Officer, said the charge had already sent a “wrecking ball” into London’s small business community. Ms Carson said: “There is enormous anxiety that this hike is so steep that it will decimate trade and leave the area within the zone a ghost town.”

The RAC also expressed concerns over the rise in the congestion charge, claiming that motorists would see the charge as a method of merely raising more revenue, as opposed to reducing traffic.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said that the price hike could raise as much as £45 million extra, which could be used to help make improvements to public transport and continue to help reduce traffic congestion.

(KMcA/MB)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

19 February 2007
London's congestion charge zone increases
Despite criticism, London's congestion charge zone has been virtually doubled in size. The zone, which costs £8 a day to enter, includes Bayswater, Chelsea Kensington, Knightsbridge, and Notting Hill. London Mayor Ken Livingstone hopes that the tariff will help reduce traffic in the newly expanded zone by up to 15%.
19 February 2008
Porsche To Challenge Congestion Charge
Luxury car company Porsche has announced plans to challenge the new congestion charge in London. The German-owned company has announced plans to seek a judicial review in a bid to get the decision overturned.
25 October 2006
London Council to impose permit hike
A London Council wants to charge residents of gas-guzzling vehicles to pay more for permits to park outside their homes, in a quest to target emissions and congestion problems.
28 June 2004
Last-ditch talks to avert Tube strike break down
A last-ditch effort to avert the 24-hour Tube strike between London Underground (LU) and union representatives this afternoon has failed to reach agreement. Management from LU met with representatives of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union today in a bid to stave off the one-day strike over pay that is set to begin on Tuesday evening.
12 December 2008
Voters Say 'No' To Manchester Congestion Charge
Voters have rejected plans to introduce a congestion charge in Greater Manchester. The scheme was rejected in all 10 boroughs involved in the referendum, in which more than 1,033,000 million people voted - a turnout of 53.2%. A majority in favour in at least seven local authority districts were needed for the scheme to get the go-ahead.