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AS the Standard reported two weeks ago, some of Boris Johnson's political allies were worried that he was being "institutionalised" by a largely unchanged, Ken-era GLA machine. With tomorrow's announcement, Mr Johnson will surely lay much of that concern to rest. In this and other areas, such as policing, it does look as if Londoners are getting the change they voted for.
Although the original, central London congestion zone is widely considered a success, its extension to the west remains more controversial. Critics accused then-mayor Ken Livingstone of ignoring the opposition of almost three-quarters of local residents. According to TfL's own research, small shops and restaurants have been badly affected. Nor, unlike in the original zone, was there more than the briefest relief from congestion.
Yet there is no doubt that TfL badly wanted the Mayor to keep the western extension. When Boris held a public consultation, TfL's information to those taking part glossed over its researchers' awkward findings. TfL claimed that London's coffers would lose £70million a year from scrapping the extension, a figure it now appears to concede is exaggerated.
And there were decent reasons for keeping it. Traffic in the area is down, albeit by rather less than expected. Local opposition has fallen; many residents enjoy being able to drive around the area and into the West End on their 90 per cent discount. Having run a fierce "No C in K&C" campaign initially, the local Tory council now appears neutral. But nearby Tory boroughs, Hammersmith and Fulham, and Westminster, were furious, and often jammed, as traffic which had gone into the western extension came to them instead. Hammersmith and Fulham called the charge boundary a "Berlin wall" separating their community from vital services, including the hospital. London's Tory assembly members signed a letter asking Boris to scrap the extension.
Now, he will do so, though 2010 may be too late for some local businesses. Interim measures may be required. Even so, it does mark a very clear political divide. In the week that a Labour chancellor raised taxes on those earning over £40,000, the Tories' highest officeholder got rid of a tax.
Reader views (6)
Shelley, London Ken made introducing both the original and Western Extension part of his election manifesto and therefore got a mandate from ALL Londoners each time he was elected.
While Brian Paddick said he would abolish the extension,together with some minor candidates. All Boris did was waffle on about a consultation and the one he has just done (as featured on TFL website) was concentrated on those who live within and around the zone.
Anyway where is the money comming from when he cant afford the South London line upgrade?
As for my living outsie London well over 1 million people travel to London every day and this decision will have a major affect on their journeys.
Anyway it time Boris stopped wasteing your money on airports outside his realm.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
I don't really care when you moved out of London, you no longer live here, yet have plenty to say about West London matters.
As for having a Mandate, I don't believe Livingstone had a Mandate to introduce the Western extension, he certainly ignored all the consultations, he lied about increasing the charge too.
As for cycling in Fulham being more dangerous now, I certainly noticed a difference when the Western extension came in, and for the worse, I believe the traffic coming from South of the River will be diluted through to Batterseas and Chelsea instead of coming over Wandsworth and Putney Bridges, and that suits me fine.
- Shelly, London
Anyone who has the faintest understanding of commerce will agree that this is a fantastic decision.
All this moaning by cyclists is irrelvant. What is more important? A healthy, vibrant economy where small, local businesses can trade freely; or slightly quieter streets? Anyone who thinks the latter is more important needs to move out of London, and stay out.
- Gary B, London, UK
Shelly, London I am not from Canvey Island I am a Londoner born and bred (just like most of the people here) I only moved last year.
The reason why the removal of the extension should be paid for by the boroughs covered is that Boris has NO mandate from All Lonon to withdraw the scheme. He only offered a consultation. It was the Lib Dems and some other parties that said they would scrap the scheme.
As to your point re danger to cyclists at Hammersmith I know what you mean as I am often in the area but the solution would be to extend the Western Zone to Hammersmith and use revenue raised to provide better "Seggregated " cycle lanes. Instead Boris has thrown away even more revenue meaning that the chances of the South London Line upgrade happening becomes less certain.
You will now find cycling will become even worse as cars and lorries divert from outer London back to West London as a useful short cut.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
Why should businesses in West London pay extra rates to cover this, surely if this is a concern to ALL the people in London, then ALL the boroughs in London should pay in increased charge.
Although why someone from Canvey Island should be so hot and bothered about it is beyond me.
As for cyclists in Kensington High Street, what about the cyclists in Hammersmith and Fulham who've had to bear the brunt of the extra traffic caused by the extension ?
- Shelly, London
Boris has no mandate to scrap the extension he only promised a consultation exercise. He therefore needs to wait until the 2112 election to get a mandate from ALL the people of London.
How will he fund the abolition and more importently how much will this cost?
It needs to be made clear this change should NOT be funded by revenue from TFL fares but from either an increase in the mayoral precept or better still a supplementary charge levied on the rates of the boroughs covered by the zone.
The C-Charge was never about raising money it was about saving money so how much incresed costs will businesses (especially TFL Buses) incur in the gridlock which will return to this zone?
No mor Cycling in Kensington High Street come 2010 because it will return to being a short cut for Artic Lorries.
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
