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London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
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Mayor accused over C-charge
By David Williams And Ross Lydall, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 08.02.05Mayor Ken Livingstone today defended his bid to raise the congestion charge from £5 to £8, insisting it was vital to get more people out of their cars.
London Assembly members accused him of going back on his word just to raise more revenue-But Mr Livingstone insisted: "You have to make a quantum step forward to make people consider whether they continue to drive or switch to a different direction."
He admitted considering a rise to ?6, but added: "£8 is the one that produces most benefit." He said it would further cut congestion, taking the total reduction to 21 per cent. The higher charge would also raise an additional £40 million in net revenue for London.
But Tory spokeswoman Angie Bray said: "You got the figures wrong last time. Why should anyone believe your figures now? What you are really after is more money."
The earliest the £8 charge could come in is this July.
A Transport for London report today says the annual cost of central London delays to business and residents is now more than £1.75 billion. Road, rail, bus and Tube hold-ups work out at more than £1,220 a year for each person working in the centre.
The Mayor earlier revealed an alliance with the Greens in the assembly to safeguard his budget a nd an above-inf lation council tax
He said the two Greens members would vote with Labour next week and he hoped a written agreement with Darren Johnson and Jenny Jones would continue for the rest of his second term.
This means that a typical London household will pay an extra ?13.29 to the Mayor, taking his share of band D council tax to £254.62.
Total average bills are likely to be around £1,170 once the borough's share is added. Announcing the deal at City Hall, Mr Livingstone said the Greens' support will be crucial.
Otherwise his budget would be voted down by an alliance of Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and former UKIP members, who now belong to Robert Kilroy-Silk's Veritas.
The budget will allow an extra ?2 million will be spent on road safety - particularly 20mph zones around schools - and £1.8 million on cycling.
A living wage unit, which seeks an increase in pay way above the nation a l minimum wage, will be set up at City Hall, while a £50,000 fighting fund will be provided for opponents to the Thames Gateway Bridge.
Green party leader Mr Johnson said: "Greens are hard to please, but not impossible to please. I think we've got a very good deal for Londoners."
He admitted the £400million bridge - to link Beckton and Thamesmead - had been a "huge stickingpoint". But he was content for the decision to go to a public inquiry.
The Greens' decision to withdraw from the coalition against the budget was condemned by the Conservatives.
