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Stop C-zone extension, say Tories
Katharine Barney, Evening Standard12.09.08
Conservative London Assembly members have written an open letter calling for the western extension of the congestion zone to be abolished.
All 11 Tory members have signed the letter ahead of the close of the consultation on the zone on 5 October.
Boris Johnson and Transport for London are asking people whether they think the extension should be kept, changed or scrapped.
Options include having a "payment holiday" during the middle of the day, introducing 100 per cent discounts for residents and creating payment accounts making the scheme easier. But the Tory members, led by statutory deputy mayor Richard Barnes, say there should be no half-measures.
In the letter about the expansion they say: "The position of the London Assembly Conservative Group at the time of May's election was against it and wanted to see it abolished; nothing we have heard since has altered that view. We encourage everyone to take part in the consultation. Londoners should make their views known."
Reader views (2)
Yes let's scrap this obnoxious tax that has not reduced congestion, takes millions of pounds of revenue (yes, even from people who live within the zone) most of which is wasted on operating the system, and has not reduced measured air pollution at all.
One of Livingstone's more loony schemes that should be scrapped as soon as possible.
- Roger Lawson, London, UK
As I resident of Kensington, please can we leave the western charge in place. Residents get a discount so shouldn't be upset, and it keeps the borough free of people from outer areas causing unnecessary congestion in central london when they should be using public transport, especially those rude ignorant people in white vans with no manners or brains. I have a car and use it only on weekends. The rest of the time I use buses, tubes, taxis or walk and the streets are so much more pleasant since the western extension reduced traffic.
- Harry, London
