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Mayor denies 'secret plan' to extend C-charge
David Williams, Motoring Editor11.03.08
Ken Livingstone has denied he was planning to extend the congestion charge to other parts of London.
Reports said the mayor had "secret" plans to extend the scheme if he is reelected in May.
A source close to Mr Livingstone claimed the plan was hushed-up - and deliberately excluded from his transport manifesto unveiled yesterday - under strict instructions to avoid losing votes in the forthcoming election. The manifesto contains no new commitments to congestion charging but confirms a £25-a-day toll on bigger engined cars will come into force in October.
But today a spokesman from the mayor's office said the rumours were "absolutely not true". He said he knew of no feasibility studies into extending the congestion charge. Today former government - and TfL - advisor, Professor David Begg, said such a scheme would be politically risky.
But by extending the charge to the M25 the scheme could raise £2 billion a year and cost £1 billion a year to run.
That would provide more than enough revenue to totally overhaul London's transport system.
He added: "I think it would be right for London. It would bring important reductions in pollution and congestion. It would raise substantial amounts of revenue. It could be used to reduce council tax and that could be very attractive to the boroughs."
Car manufacturer Porsche today said it would take legal action over City Hall plans for a £25 "gas-guzzler" congestion charge. Mr Livingstone said he was "prepared to fight Porsche in the courts".
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Reader views (19)
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I think we can safely say that the plan IS to extend to the M25 or at least the London Boundary.
When you look at the new camera gangl=planks that are going into place in and around London, it's obvious that something is afoot!
There's obviously plans for some kind of average speed limit camera system along the A13 coming into town from Dagenham and numerous other roads around town, and this would tie nicely in with setting up a whole of London congestion charge.
As long as Londoners get the present resident discount (£2.50 per week) I don't think there would be much complaint from Londoners.
I know Boris Johnson has already said he would look at a whole of London scheme, at least he's being honest!
- Sharon Watson, London
As a tax paying - and council tax paying - resident of London - though living in Crystal Palace - I have had to pay the congestion charge every time I drive into central London.
Making the whole of London a Congestion Zone would mean that ALL London residents would benefit from the 'reduction' currently enjoyed by the 'wealthy few' residents of Kensington and Chelsea, and Central London.
Methinks however, that we 'swamp dwellers' will not enjoy the same benefits - how would Mr Livingstone garnish the huge amounts of money currently supplied by 'other Londoners'?
Perhaps Mr Livingstone should note that 'ALL' Londoners will be entitled to vote in the upcoming Mayoral Election - and should start treating all of us the same.
Parents are not allowed to have a 'favourite child', teachers are not permitted favouritism towards 'gifted pupils', Mayors should not be able to seduce 'favoured voters'.
Time will tell if Mr Livingstone is capable of facilitating true democracy and unqualified representation of all of London residents. Should he succeed/fail is dependent on just how many of us are prepared to vote! We have been warned.
- Padraigh Turlough, Crystal Palace, London
Not sure how Ken would extend it to the M25 when most of the M25 is actually outside of London.
- Tom, Watford UK
