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C-charge West will make congestion worse, admits TFL
Last updated at 10:57am on 18.01.07
Traffic delays in central London will increase by five per cent next month when the congestion charge zone is extended west.
Transport for London has admitted that it expects congestion to rise and average speeds to fall because of the tens of thousands of drivers who will qualify for a residents' discount on the £8 weekday charge.
This cuts the levy from £40 to £4 a week - for those buying a week's worth of "tickets" in advance - and will attract many drivers living in west London to enter the central London zone.
The zone is doubling in size on 19 February, four years after being introduced in an eight-square-mile central area. It will extend to Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Kensington and Chelsea. A further problem will be caused by a greater number of drivers choosing to enter central London rather than seeking to drive round the enlarged zone, though the current western boundary along Park Lane will become a "freeway" with no charges levied.
Mayor Ken Livingstone today claimed the broader environmental benefits to west London would outweigh the traffic problems caused to central London.
He said: "The western extension to the current congestion charging zone will bring significant benefits to an area of London which is one of the most heavily congested in the UK. It is estimated that the number of vehicles in the western extension will be reduced by 10 to 15 per cent, reducing congestion by at least 15 per cent."
TfL now estimates the start-up costs of the extension at £105 million. It will make far less "profit" than the central zone - currently £106 million a year. This is because charging hours for the entire area - it will be one enlarged zone rather than two separate ones - will end 30 minutes earlier at 6pm. Also, drivers are now given an extra day to pay, slashing penalty fines income from those who forget.
Reader views (8)
The continued bungling and mis-management displayed by the people in charge of this scheme will do wonders for cycling. As Public transport continues to implode and congestion gets worse more people will get on 2 wheels. Go green, save yourself hundreds of pounds a year and get where you want faster!
- J Bright, Kingston
I'm one of the 30% who weren't against the planned expansion. It will ultimately save me money and keep our roads clearer of traffic. We pay a premium to live in the capital and I feel that this inclusion within the zone finally demonstrates the authotirities will to adequately represent our needs.
- Andrew, Chelsea
I think the charge is a good thing especially in light of the pressing 'green' issues we're having. Though where is the money actually going? If by charging we are trying to have less people driving then the public transport really needs to come up to scratch!
- Olivia, Kensington, London
Of course congestion will be worse after 19 February - most people living in the Western extension have no problem paying £4 per week to drive. I also believe a lot of them are already paying £40 per week to drive in the current zone, and that the income from the C-charge will drop.
- Jenny, London
Nigel works for TFL I guess? The money is being completely wasted. Traffic speeds are back to where they were before the introduction of the congestion tax and TFL now tells us that congestion will actually increase post the Western extension?
- James, London
The bus network has really improved and in fact can be used across London just like the tube.
- Jo Gough, London
LLoyd,
If you'd ever used the buses you'd know that there's been a lot of investment. There are now a lot more, and they don't spend most of their life crawling at half walking pace in a traffic jam. They're now a perfectly usable way of getting around faster than on foot, at least inside the C-charge area.
A lot more of the money is being wasted in the PFI maintenance system that was foisted on us by Tony Blair's mob, leaving contracttors like Metronet to pocket our fares and C-charges while totally failing to make the tube any better!
- Nigel, London
The money is apparently going to pay off the huge overspend on London buses plus it will also cover his junkets to Cuba and other enlightened countries.
- Debbie, Harrow, Uk
