'Without this we would have gone under'

Cheryl Devlin, 50, from Kensal Rise, works on the fruit and veg stall which has been in her family for 95 years. She threw her arms around the Mayor and kissed him when he announced his decision to axe the charge zone.

She said: "I am absolutely elated. The past five years have been hellish. We've seen our takings drop by about £1,000 a week - about 50 per cent. On top of that we have to bring two vehicles into the zone every day costing another £16. Without this we would go under. I just hope it comes soon enough." But flower stall owners Ronnie Perring, 35 and his wife Caroline, 42, said they had been ruined by the zone. Mr Perring said: "It's too late for us now. The extension killed what used to be a buzzing and vibrant road."

Hammersmith and Fulham Businesses

Karen Spooner, 48, who runs Kensington and Chelsea Property Maintenance, in Fulham, said the decision may have saved her business. She has campaigned against the charge. She said: "We are currently paying about £25,000 a year travelling into K&C and there's no way this could carry on. We are very pleased, but the fact that this might not happen until 2010 has taken the sparkle off the announcement."

Kensington and Chelsea Businesses

Property company owner Leonard Brown, 45, from Elephant and Castle, said he had to drive into Kensington and Chelsea daily. Mr Brown said: "It's a huge relief not to have to pay £8 every day. We have a lot of properties in the area and not driving is not an issue." Colm Gough, 59, owner of Golborne Furniture in North Kensington, said customers had abandoned local furniture and antique shops. He said: "I've been selling furniture here for 40 years and the charge has wrecked all of the businesses. I've thought I might have to fold but hopefully this will save me. You go to places like Wimbledon and see our former customers who are scared away by the £8 charge."

Kensington and Chelsea Residents

Fiona Carretas, 38, a teacher from Notting Hill, said: "It's tremendously good news for the area. When traders suffer we all suffer as they move out or have no money to keep up their properties. No one wants to see empty shops or vibrant areas lose their buzz." Hattie Park, 39, also from Notting Hill, liked the residents' discount: "I have enjoyed the benefits of being able to travel into the central zone without paying the full charge. However I do feel bad for the traders and shopkeepers as it has obviously hurt them. "

Health Campaigners

Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, said: "This is a disaster for the 430,000 people in London whose asthma is triggered by traffic pollution. We hope that this short-sighted approach will not jeopardise the whole congestion charging system."

Green Campaigners

Friends of the Earth's Transport Campaigner David Powell said: "The western extension cut carbon dioxide emissions and improved air quality and public transport. The Mayor has promised to make London the greenest capital in the world - he must set out exactly the policies he intends to pursue to make this vision a reality." Green Party Assembly member Jenny Jones said abolishing the zone will cost £70million, which the Mayor says is exaggerated. She said: "The charge has been an incredibly successful method of traffic reduction. This is bad news for anyone travelling in London and everyone who breathes London's air."