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THE western extension of the congestion charge will be scrapped, Boris Johnson announced today.
The Mayor revealed the demise of the £8-a-day charge, introduced by his predecessor Ken Livingstone 19 months ago, at an event in Portobello Road.
“The people of London have spoken and we have listened,” he said to cheers from residents and market traders.
The decision follows growing evidence that it has failed to reduce congestion in west London while causing serious damage to local businesses such as the market.
There will no longer be any charge to drive in the western extension zone, comprising almost all of the borough of Kensington and Chelsea, plus Bayswater, Belgravia and Pimlico.
The original central C-charge zone, east of the Edgware Road/Park Lane/ Vauxhall Bridge Road axis, will continue as now. Mr Johnson's decision will surprise some because he had seemed to be moving towards keeping the western zone in a modified form. After initially promising to get rid of it he later expressed support for a charge-free period in the middle of the day.
Speaking in Portobello Road, Mr Johnsonsaid: “We could have ignored the data like the last Mayor but we will not do that. I want to remove this tax by 2010 and hopefully before. It will be great for this part of London which is already struggling and it is absolutely the right thing to do, especially from an economical point of view.”
Mr Johnson said the figure of £70 million generated from the western extension charge had been greatly exaggerated and that the lost revenue could easily be found from TfL's
£8.2 billion budget.
Portobello Road has lost about 40 market stalls since the western extension was introduced and traders were concerned that the combination of the charge, the recession, and the new, charge-free Westfield shopping centre nearby could kill off their businesses.
The move was welcomed by Greg Hands, Tory MP for Hammersmith and Fulham, which has suffered from traffic diverting around the western extension to avoid the charge, and the council itself. The Liberal Democrats and London Chamber of Commerce also hailed the decision. However, the Greens questioned its environmental impact and Labour were set to oppose it.
Mr Johnson's decision follows a public consultation showing that a majority was against keeping the charge in its current form. However, there was some support for the modification option.
Hostility to the charge among residents — who get a 90 per cent discount — is still substantial, but has softened from the near-unanimity of last year.
A further, statutory consultation will be needed before the charge goes, so it cannot be formally scrapped until 2010. But Mr Johnson is understood to be considering measures to bring earlier relief to the area, including an enforcement holiday.
Research by Transport for London in August found that since the western extension began in February last year, “the rapidity of the deterioration in [traffic] conditions has been striking,” that “it has not been possible to identify a clear “congestion charge effect on measured air quality” and that “frequency of residents' travel by car was largely unchanged”.
Congestion in the western zone is higher than it was before the charge started, though TfL blames this on roadworks. The same TfL research found “deteriorating business performance” inside the extension zone, compared with improving performance in a control group of businesses outside it. The actual extra revenue in the first year of the extended charge was £14 million.
Reader views (70)
I have 5 cars and live in W2 area. Since the new CC came in our area its been a pain moving cars around, registering cars on different address to get the 90% discount. And for the first time i voted for elections so that the NumbSkull Red ken would be throen out. and its good he has as london can get moving again. Power to the people
- R Koli, london
Well done Boris. I had every confidence that you would keep your promise unlike Ken Livingstone who wasted our money by consulting us knowing full well that he would impliment the Charge anyway. You consulted and listened to Londoners. Now I can visit my 85 year old Widowed Uncle in Kensington anytime I wish and care for him without having to pay that dreadful £8 a day. I can also resume my shopping in Portobello Market as I did for over 35 years!!!!Thank you so much!!!
- Bertha Joseph, London
What a wonderful news, but when? I can't wait. I live close to the zone. Every morning I take bus into the Zone, travel along New Kings Rd then into Kings Rd. It takes more than 20 minutes just to get into the zone(less than 2 miles). It does get better once the bus is in the Zone. Trafic before the Zone is horrific during the charing hours, the rush hours is much worse. What choice do I have? No but to suffer the heavy trafic, pollution, and crowed parking space in my neighbourhood.
- Zoe, Fulham
People only decide things with their pockets and convenience in mind. I am ashamed of this. The conjestion zone is an attempt to control traffic in central London. Boris Johnston is an idiot. We voted for him. I would not want the conjestion charge removed.
- Ray Kilby, London
There to much traffic on the roads in London,if the rest of the congestion charge got scrap there more cars on the roads,there be a buildup of pollution in the air..
- Andy, London
Paul from Earls Court, where are these 30,000 extra cars going to come from ? Hammersmith and Fulham where I live perhaps? So its alright for us to put up with the extra traffic from the Western extension, but you don't want it back in your back yard.
London is a major world city it will always have traffic and pollution unless we go back to horse drawn carriages.
I'm assuming you had evey bit of furniture in your home delivered on the back of a bike.
If you want to live in a traffic free utopia maybe you should move to lego land.
- Shelly, Fulham, London
Well done Boris, who knows, if you continue in your current vein, I may return to live in London again.
- Stephen Sethson, Toronto, Canada
Another retrograde step from our retrograde mayor.
People that assert the the zone is no less congested that it used to be are in denial. Before the extension, at rush hour, Holland Park Avenue was pretty much always full up with cars from top to bottom, these days there's rarely any jam.
- Prj45, London
well done Boris, let´s scrap the cc zone so we can all, including bus passengers, sit on traffic with the engine running for hours so we can make even more profitable companies like Shell or BP.
- John Span, london
Trust the cyclist to think his bit is more important than jobs. The congestion charge is killing business. Boris was voted in for a couple of reasons 1 - get rid of Ken the guy who hated London and 2 - to get rid of the congestion charge in west London.
So lets say thank you very much and say good bye to both
- Mike Welsh, West Kensington
Fantastic! Now we need to scrap the central Congestion Tax
- Sedgwick, London
Joanna Carling 'the great myth of climate change' I find your gross ignorance disturbing, dangerous and offensive. Who are you to argue against scientific opinion agreed the world over. Really. You should go and live in the flooding Maldives or the Queensland dustbowl and then you would understand.
This is a retarded step for London. Why has the Mayor given such an important decision to the populace, who clearly looking at this page know so little. Government is meant to lead, not blindly follow public opinion. Ending the Western Charge is a mistake. It will lead to an increase of 30,000 cars in the area, more congestion, more pollution and more asthma - just at a time when emissions must be cut for our future AND when the oil is running out. It's totally crazy. Johnson cannot get London moving as he has shelved all of the schemes to create more public transport capacity and has diverted the money to his vanity projects and tax cuts for his supporters in outer boroughs.
London, expect a shlves second phase of teh East London line, cuts in bus services and a reduced tube next. Johnson is taking London backwards and his green credentials are in tatters.
- Paul, Earls Court, London
These whingers who are saying what Boris 'should' have done- ie keep the tax in place- show contempt for the democratic process. The Mayor was elected on a pledge to scrap it if a public consultation amongst residents supported abolishing the tax. He has held a consultation, and is now abiding by the decision of the residents who responded. If you object to democracy perhaps you should move to a more fitting place, say North Korea or Iran. But quit your whining about what a democratically elected Mayor has done in response to a democratic consultation. Get over it and respect the democratic process.
- Richard, Haringey, London, UK
This is what called "PEOPLE POWER". I hope this nanny state also will change into people power.
- Muheed Jeeran, Colombo
As a resident in the Western zone and getting the 90% discount, which I have recently renewed, I have mixed feelings:
For abolition ) One less mandatory expense to keep my car running.
Against) I will need to pay £8 for every day on which I wish to enter the central zone during restricted hours.
My future feelings will depend upon how often I will wish to enter the central zone, which may be influenced by my future work requirements, in a deflating economy.
We continue to live in "interesting times".
- Charles Lucy, London UK
So much for him wanting to improve his green credentials
- Jon Vanner, Hoxton London
West London has been rather pleasant these last 10 months. You can actually breathe on the Brompton Road these days. It is also far safer to cycle around. I am surprised that Boris, who champions cycling, should support a measure that will directly hit the cyclist.
- Brendan E. Molloy, South Kensington
Great news! The western extension was always a motoring tax as it pushed the traffic around the zone without significantly reducing it, causing misery for the 1000's of people who lived and worked around the circumference rather than diluting the traffic within the zone. For good measure it also provided essentially free access to the drivers of gas guzzling vehicles in K&C to drive within the hitherto chargeable central zone thus increasing the congestion and environmental impact.. nice one Ken.
- Alex, London
The charge should stay and possibly have its toll price raised.A few years ago,I heard about a possible £25 pound C-Charge.That should happen.The government should encourage people out of cars
- H.J.Jones, London UK
I hope all those who welcolm this decision are just as happy when their employer sacks them for being late again for work.
As for saving businesses well who in the right mind will want to dine alfresco outside a restaurant covered in diesel pollution when the ambience will be better in the original zone, which will benefit from the redevelopmnt in the City of London.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
God bless Boris, the darling of the middle-classes.
Now you have listened to them, can you sort out the public transport for all us working class oiks.
Interesting comment from 'Eustace of Belgravia' who suggests that taxpayers money reserved for public transport improvements should be used to build more roads for the private motorist.....
This country never learns.
- James, London,UK
Boris looking after his rich mates again.
- Mick, London, England
Three cheers for Boris - a politician who keeps his promise! Unheard of in today's political elite. Let's hope we get our Routemasters back as well. London cannot tolerate the bendy bus - whoever heard of building only bungalows in crowded London instead of high rises!
- Vanessa, London
Great that democracy has returned to London.
- Mike Constable, London UK
keep the C charge please, I get reduced cost c-charge as a local resident and i can drive wherever the hell i like in london for next to nothing....its great
- James, kensington
In my opinion Boris Johnson is actively restoring the damage that successive Labour governments and London Labour administrations have inflected on politics. He said he would listen to the people about the western CC zone and he has. He said he would cut waste and quangos in City Hall and he has. He said he would let scooters into bus lanes and he will on Jan 5th.
Thank you Boris for respecting my vote and making London a better place in which to live.
- Jonathan Grey, Victoriam, London
As a couple who both live in Chelsea and work in the Central Zone we saw this as being in our personal interest when viewed entirely selfishly - we would be able to ride around in the entire zone, central and western, for 10% of the daily charge. Before we would have to pay £8 to drive to work (if we wanted to), now it is a fraction of that.
We were against it for the three reasons which are the current real criticisms of this measure and which were always entirely predictable.
First, it has damaged retail businesses in the western zone because those outside the zone are less inclined to come in.
Second, it has not reduced traffic by much in the zone because the 90% reduction has been extended to Europe's most densely populated residential area who are not put off by having to pay 80p daily.
Third, it has visited traffic hell on the areas immediately to the north and west of the new zone.
- Michael, chelsea
Good news. This tax should be abolished all over London. My experience has been that thermajority of buses have caused more congestion and many of them are run empty during the day- all subsidised by the congestion charge payer. What is needed is affordable, reliable and safe public transport (£4 for one journey in Zone 1 is ludicrous) The very least the charge should be reduced to say £2.50 and limited to entering London mornings only. If there ever shpuidl be a charge is on Sundays when the traffic is heaving. Thank heaven Livingstone has gone (far away I hope)
- Adrian, Paris, France
Joanna carling,London england- There are far more important things in this world than the great myth of climate change.
I would have thought the nost important in this world is, saving it.
- James Hennessy, london england
I live in the western extension - this is great news!! Well done and thank you Boris
- Julia, London, W10
To the minority wobbling on about the environment and "balance", Ken did not consider either when he introduced this detested extension to his devil-spawn child.
Ken surveyed Londoners and they voted 71% in favour of not extending the zone. He wasn't "minded" to listen, as the environment was more important than peoples' mobility. In fact, it was just a petty point scoring exercise at the affluent council and residents of Kensington and Chelsea. London is just as affected by traffic levels in Rotterdam, Paris and Manchester, without his silly extension.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Fantastic news! The grimacing left will hate him for it, but tough luck. That's democracy, just as we were lectured for years by the likes of Livingstone and his cronies. Democracy is sweet, isn't it lefties, when it goes your own way, but not so when it goes against you? Get over it- the people have spoken, and the death knoll has been sounded on a ludicrous taxation scheme. Three cheers for Boris!
- Richard, Haringey, London, UK
I notice most of the whingers about this live in the East of London, funny that, perhaps they'd be happier if Boris imposed the C charge there, having said that they're probably all mung bean eating tree huggers so they'd more than likely welcome it.
As a working class resident of West London this is the best news I've heard all day, my Husband who's a builder cannot take step ladders and power tools on the tube, so yes he does occasionally have to drive into the congestion zone, at least any jobs he does in Chelsea or Kensington won't cost him an extra 8 quid a day.
As for the people complaining about Westfield congestion the fact that people can now drive through Chelsea and Kensington, will mean that not all the traffic is being diverted through Hammersmith and Fulham, and most of its at the weekend anyway when the congestion charge is not in operation.
- Shelly, London
Good on your Boris, now all you need to do is re-phase the traffic lights to get london moving again - unlike red-ken who though the third world public transport system would be the answers.
- Raminder Bhalla, Northolt
Any criticism at all from the Government is laughable when they are supporting a third runway for Heathrow. They should rather congratualte Boris for cutting taxes and stimulating the retail sector in West London - entirely in-line with Brown's overall economic crisis package. Personally I would congratualte him for listening to the results of a consultation, something his predecessor notably failed to do (on the West London tram issue.
- Roy Grainger, London
Well done Boris, and thank you for listening to the
people, something Ken did not do. The traffic around
Marble Arch has been terrible since the zone was
extended,and many businesses have suffered.
You are doing a great job Boris
Love Christine xxx
- Christine Whittall, London, England
God bless Boris.
- Sandy, London
Another decision which will help Gordon win the next general election as Boris shows how little the tories care about the enviroment and how they are prepared to waste money on projects that bring in revenue.
Anyway Boris does not have a mandate to abolish the zone because unlike other mayoral candidates he only promised a consultation so any change should only happen after the 2012 election when he can get a mandate from ALL the people of London.
Hopefully a way of ensuring the cost of removing the zone will be found as this should not be paid for by users of public transport through fares or cuts to planned investment.
I reckon the best way to pay for this would be a supplementary charge on the rates (both business and residential) in the boroughs covered by the western c-charge zone.
More wqaste by Boris which could have funded the South London line project.
Given that the Government is insisting on Manchester introducing a charge scheme before getting public funding I reckon the government should cut spending in London by both the cost of removing this scheme and the revenue raised.
Perhaps businesses in the original zone should start a court case as to why TORY west london is being treated differently to the City and Central London..
Ah well no more cyclists on Kensington High Street as there will be to many artic Lorries with blind spots using it as a short cut once again.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
It's good thinking in the right direction. It makes a lot of economic sense. I will even suggest he changes the C-Charge fee from £8 to £2.50 and change the timing for the peak period only at this credit crunch period.
- Olusegun Opanuga, Norwood & Dulwich, UK
Why does your report fail to mention that in a separate TfL survey, a balanced sample of 2,000 Londoners showed 45 per cent in favour of keeping some form of charging in the extension, while only 41 per cent supported removal. Surely a balanced survey is a more accurate way of finding what people think than a consultation, which will inevitably attract those actively opposed to the scheme. So public transport schemes will be scrapped and fares will go up. Well done to all selfish people who drive to work in London.
- Tom Nicholls, London, UK
This is excellent news, but Boris needs to go further and not only scrap the original central London zone but begin proposals for an orbital highway around Zone 1 similar to Paris's periphique. This is the only way to combat congestion in Central London. I'd support diverting public transport money towards this as I imagine most Londoners would prefer to be in their own private cars than the disgusting state of our buses and trains.
- Eustace, Belgravia, London
Right or wrong, it is refreshing to see a politician keep an election promise. Can't remember the last time that happened, can you?
- Dan, Manchester
Another regressive step in a city that once led Europe on transport initiatives. It took guts to stand up to the motoring lobby, Boris has rolled over and played dead on this issue. Bad news for asthmatics, pensioners, anyone who uses public transport, children and cyclists. And it's costing us £70m.
- Dr Susan Porter, Bow
Seems simple to me - we voted for it, and now we're getting it. Boris is delivering on his campaign promises. Sorry Jenny Jones et al, but I think it's called democracy!
- Wpw, London
it was always very clear why the western extension would not work. Residents in K&C (and most of the borough is housing) can effectively drive around central london for free (in and out of both zones) and all it has done is make driving around more attractive. Now that they have to pay £8 to access the central zone, you will see an improvement in congestion. Well done boris
- Ag, The Village of London
Westfield has severely clogged all the roads around Shepherds Bush: Greg Hands (MP for hammersmith, mentioned above) clearly hasn't attempted to travel by bus or car in or around the area since it opened in October. West London is going to come to a gridlock with this charge lifted and it's a huge mistake to do so.
- James W, shepherds bush
Great! Now scrap the rest of this nonsensical charge that raises no money, cuts no pollution and keeps residents out of their own city centre.This is the emperor's new clothes if ever there was,a completely unintelligent three card trick engineered and made to look necessary by Livingstone and his bunch of bullies.Why is Hendy still there anyway ?
- David, london
In West London we were repeatedly 'consulted' by Ken Livingstone on the extension. Overwhelming majorities of up to 90% told him it was not wanted. Yet he imposed it vindictively, only in Tory areas and entirely as a revenue generation measure. Now, at last, a politician has listened to the people. Those of you who are keen on CC charges - have them imposed in your own areas. And ask TfL to show you the REAL figures for total car travel not just during the CC hours but 24/7 - you will see there is no environmental benefit overall.
- Tom Moncrieff, london W6
As a resident of the original central congestion zone I am pleased that the western zone will be scrapped. Traffic will reduce in the central zone now that the western residents lose their cheap entry!
- Richard, London
Mark Lee, I can only assume you work for Labour central Office as you have selectively picked out your figures. Estimated £70m, actual £14m. Never trust a Red to tell you the whole truth.
- Dan, Manchester
Even if Londoners were forced onto bicycles in their millions, and cars completely banned, the impact on the environment would be pitifully small. Stop using it as a stick to beat drivers. I'm delighted to see Boris putting his constituents' wishes ahead of the vociferous "green" party. Did any of them ever have a proper job?
- Sarahn, London, UK
Labour complaints about this very welcome move demonstrate their inflexibility. No matter that the extension was bad for business at a time of economic woe, or that it brought in a fraction of what was hoped for, or that Boris Johnson was voted in on the promise of reviewing it, a review that showed most residents hated it - it was part of Ken's inglorious legacy and was therefore brilliant in their eyes. Pity being gutted is only a turn of phrase.
- Cleggy, London
Would be surprised if it is scrapped tomorrow - TfL's website says that it the earliest it can be stopped is 2010!!
- Alex, London
Bloody marvellous. About time Londoner's voices were being heard. Just because we live in the capital does not mean that we are all cash cows.
- Lottie, London
Surely if £8 a day hasn't reduced traffic, the charge should be increased until it does. The wealthy fatcats resident in the west of our city must be laughing all the way to the bank thanks to their posh pal Boris.
- Keith, Kings Cross, London, UK
This is another example of why direct democracy does not work. Boris really had no choice in this after his manifesto promise in spite of the black hole in TfL funding this will cause.
The good residents of shepherd's bush will soon be enjoying even more Westfield traffic congestion. How long before the very residents who complained before are clamouring to have the extension back?!
Are these the same residents who opposed the tram due to increased congestion?
West London really has lost the plot...
- Dan, East London
Absolutely gutted. That £70m a year could have paid for a lot of the public transport schemes that Boris has had to scrap. Fares will inevitably go up, and buses will get stuck in traffic. You'd have thought with all of the recent cries about Westfield causing extra congestion in West London, people would have been more supportive of the zone.
- Mark Lee, Vauxhall
Funny that Jenny Jones and the Labour faction are squealing! It couldn't possibly be something to do with the fact that the congestion zone and charge was one of their "good" ideas, could it?
- Matthew, London
A victory for common sense: traffic around West London has become worse since the introduction of the extension and trade has declined, possibly because of the recession, but accelerated by Ken's unwanted charge.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
Jason, would these be the 'Climate Researchers' who are banking huge research grants, not to mention getting their unexpected 15 minutes of fame? Why stop at the Western Zone, Boris? The Greens and their fellow-travellers have had it too easy for too long - it's good to see a politician finally put two fingers up them and their dull, hair-shirted middle-class angst.
- Ged Farrell, Lee, London
Jason - count me in as a heretic too cos I don't believe in your MMGW religion either. Even if Al Bore is elected as your Pope!
- Rusty Shackleford, UK
Well done Boris. At least you listen to the electorate, unlike Livingstone. Now get rid of the rest of the C-Charge zone.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
The streets of Kensington and Chelsea are eerily quiet. There are no shoppers and no cars. Retailers without exception are struggling. Boris should not hesitate - he should start a CC holiday right away. CC free Westfileds plus a recession has sucked the lifeblood out of the area.
- Oliver Wright, London
Excellent, a politician listening to the people for a change.
Jason, why have you not instigated a conjestion charge down there in Poole ? and I'm sure Joanna would have been shouted down like everyone else who's opinion differs from yours. What is the qualification for commenting on 'climate change' by the way ?
- Steve, London
I think the greens and environmentalists need to re-think their strategy. They need to wake up and understand that Londoners were pushed so far that they went out in their millions and voted for the one candidate for Mayor who promised to put common-sense ahead of unconditional environmentalism. Boris will deliver on his promise and that’s a good thing, but the likes of Jenny Jones still have a role to play - they just need to accept that they pushed us too far and we reacted and we’ll do so again. If they want to achieve change (and I want them to), they need to do in consultation with the rest of us, instead of assuming that they can just force it upon us at will.
- St, London
Hallelujah!
- Bloke, London
Joanna, have you thought about mentioning this to the thousands of Climate Researchers who disagree with you? I'm sure you are amply qualified to comment, and they would certainly value your opinion.
- Jason, Poole, England
About time Red Ken's final vindictive act against motorists was revoked. There must be many relieved traders in the area. There seems no logical reason it cannot be scrapped immediately to at least give some help to a Xmas period which will probably be a retailers nightmare
- Robin, Brentford, UK
That extra revenue of £14 million pound could have gone to phase 2b of the east London line extension!
- Simon, Peckham
Jenny Jones needs to wake up and realize there are far more important things in this world than the great myth of climate change....
- Joanna Carling, london england
