No Extension To The London Congestion Charge Area

Monday, 12. January 2009

After a strong NO vote for the western extension of the congestion charging in London (67%) Boris Johnson will scrap the scheme introduced by Ken Livingstone in 2007. This will halve the size of the congestion charging zone and as many have suggested with little effect on the environment. So why are other cities still hell bent on introducing the schemes elsewhere in the country when no one really wants them? This year is decision year for many proposals, I wonder if many other cities will follow the new London Mayor’s example and let the people decide or will they have their motoring costs substantially increased without any say? Time will tell but one thing is for certain something needs to be done but is the solution congestion charging? By Graham Hill