• Comment: The Mayor’s U-turn is right but unfortunate
• Blog: Boris driving London motorists mad

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BoJo couldn't care less about the congestion,he's on a money makin mission.Instead of giving incentives to motorcycles/scooters,he introduced parking fees for them!!!

- Costa, South London

Pip said:
"I live one mile outside the zone, my 90 year old mother lives one mile inside the zone. Without the "Zone" I could do the journey in 12 minutes. Now it's 45+ minutes one way"
Why can't you cycle (12 mins) or walk (30 mins)? Using a car for a 2 mile trip - there's no excuse.

- Cyrus, London

You Boris's voters managed to convince yourselves that congestion charge was wrong. You found the person who was going to scrap it and you elected him as Mayor. Boris hasn't kept any of his election manifestos, except maybe ban drinking in public transport (but even my 3 yr old could have done that) Why are you Boris voters having a go at Ken and "New Labour"?

Ken promised congestion charge and delivered it, like it or not, but he did what he thought was good in that situation. What is stopping you man Boris from scrapping it if he thinks it was a bad idea, or at least scrap the WEZ, or even remove bendy buses which he made you guys believe was too dangerous? If your man has failed to deliver, have a go at him and leave Ken alone.

They say Boris was elected because he is "straight talking". But talk is cheap as you guys have now found out. "Straight acting"? - now that is a separate matter.

- Frankson, Kensington

It appears that the Labour Spin Doctors are very busy and very nervous!!! Are they looking for a topic for their Conference to deflect from what's really going on in this Country with this Politically Bankrupt Labour Government?????

Londoners believed Boris Johnson when he said that he would scrap the Western Extension of The Congestion Charge. He consulted residents and the verdict was a resounding Scrap It!!! Unlike Ken Livingstone who consulted residents, we said NO and he did it anyway!!! We believe Boris therefore the progressively diminishing Labour Party whose members are abandoning them as I write this, will need to get back to the drawing board. This won't work.

Well done Boris and thank you for listening to us Londoners!!! Four more years!!!!!

- Bertha Joseph, London

Wait a minute, the economic argument from Boris was that congestion charge was costing the economy and london money, reducing tax intake by slowing down business. So if Boris the chief clown and his puppets were right, scrapping the WEZ should actually booster TFL purse through increased tax intake from business. Boris once quoted the cost to the economy in £billiions.

Isn't it the case that Boris all along has never had any idea what it means to run London? The bendy buses are still here, and now he can't scrap the WEZ because of some £50m which he said he could easily find by "efficiency savings".

There has never been and never will be a point in Boris Johnson. The guy is totally out of his depth in the job.

- Frankson, Kensington

I am one of the leading campaigners against the Western Extension and was so surprised by this report that I called the GLA press office who denied the story and sent me the following:

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor of London's Transport Advisor, said:

"Boris Johnson has promised to abolish the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge and he will do so next year. Giving Londoners a say on this was a central part of his manifesto, and removing the extension is in accordance with their wishes as expressed in a detailed consultation last spring.

"The details for the date of the removal are being finalised, but there is absolutely no suggestion of this policy being dropped."

It appears to me that there could possibly be some fudging with regard to the date and my line on this would be:

Dismantling the Western Extension any later than the earliest opportunity would seriously damage Boris’s credibility with the electorate - as he campaigned on the promise to listen to the views of Londoners on this issue… and when he ran his own consultation exercise, the findings were again emphatic; Londoners want the Western Extension removed.

He has had a lot of time to plan the removal and any delay will look like a total inability to manage and control his own organisation.

What we need now is an emphatic statement that the Western Extension will be removed at the earliest opportunity.

- David Tarsh, London (West Kensington)

I will say this if he removes this then he better not raise the bus ans tube fairies or other wise he lost my vote. An he should remember the number of people who use public transport out number those who use cars.

- David Knowles, London

as a boris voter - I hate to say the following - lets face the facts - the word on the street is that the western congestion charge will reman in place until the election - the boris boys know this, and have known this since the election.

It really is embarrassing that the first cessation of public transport since before WWII came on the snow day. Who needs a strike when the Mayor is 2hours behind making a statement on a day when 18hrs earlier the mayor, key agencies etc knew there was going to be a major problem.

- Jc, se1

The ignorance of the petrol-heads on this comments page is extraordinary. the world is dying, sea levels rising, the planet is heading towards catastrophe and some people are wittering on about building new roads, being able to drive where and when they like throughout London? Like dumb lemmings heading for the precipice.

Boris has realised a) the congestion charge is a very good thing and b) it raises much needed funding for practical measures to combat pollution and get these stupid selfish drivers out of their stinking cars. He was daft to propose the lifting of the western extension charge but he has now seen sense so he should be congratulated.

- Thomas, London

Its another year, big deal. I think Boris should start to look at setting it up in the east end. He is just delaying it a little to get it closer to the mayoral elections so people dont forget what a nice man Boris really is.

- Mr S.Port, London

Won't vote for Boris again if this is true. I live one mile outside the zone, my 90 year old mother lives one mile inside the zone. Without the "Zone" I could do the journey in 12 minutes. Now it's 45+ minutes one way, because I can't afford the congestion charge, and she is too tired in the evenings, which means I see her far less. I am deeply, deeply angry because I voted for Boris on this one election promise.

- Pip, London

just another liar just like ken

- Johngh, london englandanistan

Et Tu, Boris?

- Dom Thomas, London

Kimberley,
Don’t you think that one of Boris’ team could have been behind this leak of true information.
I am interested in your suggestion about building more roads in this city. What do you have in mind? Demolishing Buckingham Palace to make it easier to get to Victoria?
Finally, don’t forget that foul mouthed poor people have cars too

- Andrew W1, London

Dear God, are there really people out there still stupid enough to think that the charging zones are a bad idea? London is getting increasingly congested and polluted - roads are clogged up and traffic in London is down to a crawl. Despite what morons like Kimberley et al believe, London has a pretty good transport system - west london is well served by buses, tube and rail - add a bicycle to that and you can wherever you want with relatively little effort. People still have this outdated idea that they have a God-given right to drive wherever thay want - well, you don't. Can anyone honestly say that they really NEED to drive in central London? Imagine how much better the whole area would be without cars etc during daytime? Think about it, and see the bigger picture for once, eh?

Anyway, Johnson only planned to abolish the western extension because it contained a high proportion of potential voters for him in the mayoral election. It was a vote-winner, simple as that. Now that he's realised it going to cost TfL £70m pa, he's had to rethink.

As an aside, most Johnson supporters on here give them game away by referring to his Tory masters. When Livingston was elected, he wasn't even a member of the Labour Party - he'd resigned before the campaign. At least he was independant.

- Ian, Greenford

1st. I am UK born and grown . No suprise that a money rich factor decision is shelved / delayed . I imagine that Boris / family/ friends have invested in this scheme , so it would not be in their interests to do anything . Oink Oink comes to mind .

- Chris, Cologne , Germany

I can't vote for Boris as I do not live in London, but as a liftime Conservative may I remind him that he is alienating his core voters.

Come on Boris, in you own words, "Get Agrippa!"

- Anil Chatterjee, Manchester

David, London- what ARE you smoking? Your lying, incompetent scarecrow can't put a team of reliable advisors together to save his life, has managed to con idiots into believing bendy buses are more dangerous than RMs, has pretty much broken or failed to deliver on every keystone election pledge. .
Kimberley- do you mind if we bulldoze your house, or those of your family members to make way for roads and car parks? Thought not.

Will no-one rid us of this shambolic fool?

- Fresh, London

Very astute by Boris.
He knows how much car ownership has gone up since the CG was introduced. Whoever removes the CG will be held responsible for every traffic jam in the area for years. Central london was close to gridlock when it was introduced - it would be much worse now if removed. Boris does not want his future political career weighed down by that millstone.

- Clive - Westminster, london

politicians by there very nature are duplicitous beasts
that dwell behind false faces and promises. for them all truth is relative and no truth is absolute. although
sad, it is no surprise that bojo has shown his true colours. he promised all manner of things to gain power, never having the slightest inclination to actually undertake them. there will be more broken promises, apparantly based on all manner of fair excuses.
all politicos of all colours are slippery, economical with the truth in the extreme, if they'd ever know the beast if it slipped a fiver into the greasy palms and intent only on self serving. power and wealth are their
main motives and self agrandisment and vain glory much desired.
let us hope that the humble voter remembers he is a tory and come the general election his fellow tories will also promise jam tomorrow and a walk down the yellow brick road, only once in power to plead the fruit has soured and unexpected road works demand radical rethinks and cancellation of all expectations and promises.
but then labour and the liberals are cut from the same cloth.

- M.O'Brien, london.uk

Where is the NEW ROUTEMASTER BUS BoJo?.

- John L., Scarborough N.YKS. England. U.K.

Good news. Make drivers pay. Many journeys in Central London are completely unnecessary trips of a matter of a mile or 2 with a single driver and no passengers. Get people out of cars and reduce pollution and obesity.

In any case we need the Western extension to pay for Bozo's hair brained plan to re introduce a new, bespoke Routemaster bus at high cost and get rid of the perfectly acceptable, off the shelf mass transit system that the bendy bus represents. I like bendies, they're easy to board and carry masses of people and as a regular cyclist in London I find them no problem at all.

Routemaster buses were always an abolute nightmare to use. Routemasters traveling from Central London at peak times were ALWAYS full after literally a couple of stops. The Routemaster was built for 1950s London. Good riddance.

- Mcw, London

I live in the western congestion zone and there is much less traffic than before and it is safer to bicycle and walk on the streets. I want the congestion charge to stay; remember it is not everyone who opposed it. I dread the streets around my home becoming busy again.

- Richard, London

Just a comment on the things that Boris said he was going to do, and the things he's done.
He stated that he would ban alcohol on the tubes to reduce the 40% of alcohol-related crime. The ban was enforced, but there are no clear results as alcohol-related crimes are not recorded. If the crimes are not recorded, how did Boris know that 40% of crime on the tube was alcohol related?

- Sergio, London, U.K.

No wonder Kh is "smug". He didn't vote for Boris but for Ken. He seems happy despite Boris being mayor.

- Ian F, London, UK

Quite likely an attempt by Labour insiders to destabilise Boris's position.It seems that the entire story is a bit of a space filler and that he will keep his pledge to remove the WEZ eventually. Why not remove the whole thing ? The CG is a pointless exercise in taxation that neither removes congestion nor collects any taxes, and has no effect on pollution,it only serves the looney environmentalists and Livingstone lovers by keeeping them happy.Boris's biggest mistake has been by keeping Ken's henchmen on at TFL, they should have been hoofed out at the beginning and replaced by his own people.TFL or rather Trouble For London has done nothing to improve anything in this city other than remove road space for motorists thus increasing congestion, forcing oyster cards on people, introducing dangerous bendy buses and ridiculous traffic schemes eg Trafalgar Square.The scars that Ken left on London will take a generation to remove .

- David, london

He wont be getting our vote next time round if he does not carry out his corner stone pledge.
Yes, we know there's a 'slight' problem in the UK economy at the moment, but It will pass and then he has to act. If he doesn't, not only will we vote for another mayor but also another political party. On the face of it, a big blow against democracy.

- Dezza, London UK

Ha ha....I have got to laugh....the buffoons that voted Boris Johnson as 'their' mayor honestly believed he was actually going to fulfill any of his promises. Now that idiot has realised how much money TfL is making out of the Congestion Charge, maybe, he will now come back to reality and stop his nonsensical idea of scrapping relatively new, perfectly usable bendy buses, simply because he doesnt like them. Boris is a joke! He has done nothing for Londoners since his time in office and his constant foot in mouth and clownish attempts at gaining media attention via support from this newspapers and others make him and unfortunately all Londoners a laughing stock.

- Sj, London, England

'I do not believe Boris is behind this announcement but a pro-Livingstone member of City Hall is trying to discredit the mayor.'

And still the fools believe in Boris!! Its so sad that adults are that gullable (sp, i know but i am laughing at this niavety so much i have lost my dictionary...)

- Kh, London UK

It doesn't have to be a question of slashing investment or raising money, if there are fewer passengers then cut some trains and buses and in particular cull some of Bob Crow's merry men.

Boris should be using this period to slim TFL down in the name of efficiency. Read Andrew Gilligan's article in the Standard on how they introduced driverless trains in Paris for a mere pittance. I would happily pay double fairs to get rid of these cretins once and for all.

- Andy Davids, London

One minute it's going to stay, the next minute it's going to be abolished again.

One minute, they can't name a date for legal reasons, the next, Boris twitters that it will definitely go by December 2010.

What the hell is going on? If David Cameron wants to restore trust in politics, his party is going about it in a very strange way.

Unfortunately quite a few in the Tory camp have been toying with the idea of extending road pricing to make money out of us. Public opposition has been as deep-rooted as it has over western extension charging.

This should be enough to make David Cameron and his policy wonks rule out any form of road pricing if they are serious about being elected.

- Jools, London

Ha ha ha!! i cannot stop laughing. Fools like Julie from west hampstead fell for this buffoons promises, but if she and others like her stopped to think of the financial cost of scraping the c charge, she would have voted for the man who really cared about London. Unfortunately Julie and her like voted for the 'politician' she liked rather than one who actually cared about London.
I didn't vote for him because i knew this would happen - sorry to be smug.................

- Kh, London UK

Just turn the bloody cameras off.

- Bloke, Lambeth

I do not believe Boris is behind this announcement but a pro-Livingstone member of City Hall is trying to discredit the mayor. Driving needs to be made as easy as possible in this city what with a dirty Tube system full of terrorists and buses packed with foul mouthed poor people. We need more roads built in this city to get people from A & B quickly and in comfort so they don't have to breath polluted air and Boris should be looking into this once the charge is dropped across London.

- Kimberley, London

It looks as though Johnson is a puppet of the TfL quango.

Can't rein in a quango. Can't cut publio expenditure. Can't cut taxes.

If this is an example of a future Conservative government God help us.

- Mike Newland, London, England

For all those moaning that they voted for Boris and didn't expect this I say more fool you. The irony here though is that Boris has done the right thing. The fact is that far more people who take public transport will benefit from this move than those who will lose from driving and paying the charge. Road space is a commodity in London, and if you selfishly choose to use despite the environmental damage you create you should pay.

- Brendan, Kingston, Surrey

Just got this via the local Conservatives:

"You may have heard the scurrilous rumour that I have reneged on my promise to remove the Western Extension of the congestion charge. I am writing now to tell you that is emphatically not true.

When I was elected, I promised to give Londoners the consultation they never got. Londoners expressed the overwhelming view that it should be removed, and I promised to honour that judgement. I maintain that promise today, and to make it absolutely crystal clear; we will be removing the Western Extension next year.

We have to jump through a number of tedious bureaucratic hoops before the axe can fall, but fall it will. The extended zone will be no more. It will be an ex-zone, the area formerly known as. It will be a dead zone!

Regards,

Boris "

- Alan In Bow, London

He hasn't scrapped or shelved the plan. Legally the earliest date they could be instigated was Spring 2010, as it happens that hasn't been possible but the mayor's office has categorically stated that the charge will be scrapped by the end of next year. So if its a delay it is a delay of a few months beyond what was an aspirational target.

- Allister Hayman, London, UK

I live in North Kensington, so, for the privilege of driving out of the CC zone mostly in the late morning, just a few times a month, I have to pay TFL £4 each time.

In the meantime I can spot zillions of vehicles happily being driven up and down the A40 behind my house, without having to pay the CC charge. Obviously they neither cause pollution nor traffic congestion.

If they really wanted to reduce traffic and pollution TFL should have installed CC cameras on all the main roads into London and not just in some small areas.

I voted for Boris but now I wish I had voted for my dog instead.

- John Smith, Londonistan, EUSSR

Who cares about the congestion charge - tackling knife crime is much more important, but despite his fine words on this subject, Boris isn't having much of an impact.

- Austen, London

What a foul liar - typical politician.
He is also going to allow bicycles to go anywhere in Hyde Park instead of keeping to their designated paths - this will ensure that those on bicycles kill even more dogs and run down a few more children.

- Ln, London

Has anyone wander how much ROAD WORKS that cause the the congestion ? look around from one day to the next and you see why yes I understand that tfl is not making as money as used to but getting around some of west London is just murderwith road works and as well everyone trying to get around the c charge what next ?

- Leroy, London

Another policy coming out of City Hall that contribute to Boris Johnson plummeting in my estimation.

I voted for you Boris on the basis that you promised to remove the Western CC Zone and reduce the zone.I was under the veiled impression that you were a politician that could be trusted and would actually fulfil campaign policies. It is clear to me that these so caled principles that hold do not count for anything and were simply just lies and I for one deeply regret voting for you.

My friends and I will certainly NOT be voting for Boris next time. Boris you have just lost a huge number of votes.

- Julie, West Hampstead

If Boris does not fulfil this election promise he is as bad as Gordon Brown for not fulfilling his EU referendum pledge. How can he ever make promises to voters again?, this will damage him and the Tories. He will open the door to Ken Livingston being mayor again. God help us.

- Mark Burton, St Ives. cambs

FACT: London has the worst air pollution in Europe (just 'cos you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there) ergo, the WEZ is a good thing in combatting this, right?

FACT: there is a gaping hole in Tfl's finances, ergo the WEZ is a good thing in helping them shore up their finances surely?

FACT: London has one of the best most decent public transport systems in the world, ergo there's really no need to own a 4x4 or four in Chelsea, is there?

FACT: BoJo is considering putting up the price of journeys by public transport - he couldn't do that AND scrap the WEZ could he? That would **** off ALL of London!

For the first time ever it seems that there is some good news coming from the Mayor's office - and don't think he hasn't done this for political reasons either - the man is astute. Maybe all those sad W/London yummy mummies could cycle their darlings to school every day on one of the new BoJo hire bikes instead of driving and paying for the C-Charge - saves money and stops your little darlings growing up to be fatties - everyone's a winner! Hoorah for the WEZ - expand it I say!

- Marka, Bethnal Green, London

Aside from the fact that it seems this story is incorrect, the 'benefits' of the WEZ on air pollution are virtually nill.

The pollutants in the capital's atmosphere that are present in illegal amounts come overwhelmingly from diesel engines. Commercial traffic has not been significantly reduced by the C-Zone and, in any case, London has 125 miles of illegally polluted roadway, the majority of which is outside the C-zone.

if you want clear air, do what the rest of the world has already done, and convert public transport to using clean-burning gas as a fuel. And use real-time emissions monitoring to ban the most polluting commercial vehicles from the capital.

And has already been pointed out, the C-charge was a green tax, designed to change behaviour, not raise money.

Any politician who relies on revenue from green taxes for his future spending plans should be kicked out of office....

- J H Holloway, London

Looks like reality has crept in, why are people dissapointed? After all he is a Mayor not a Messiah!

- George, Brixton, London

Darren Johnson Green Party Assembly member:

your claims that it reduces congestion and contributes to the TFL revenue coffers have been exposed many times by independent analysis as pure make believe.

Wasn't it Morgan Stanley who showed that real IRR was close to zero, and only flawed financial analysis at TFL even created the illusion otherwise? didn't they recommend tossing 20p pieces in a bucket to raise more money?

and lets not get started on the fairy tales about reduced congestion; this has only ever been a tax on non-discretionary traffic, as the original service contract and minimum guaranteed revenue with Capita ably demonstrated.

congestion has reverted to pre-CC levels.

- Scotty, london

I note that in this article the Mayor is quoted as referring to the charge as a "tax". How can they then try to deny it is a tax when they want the Germans and American embassies to cough up for unpaid congestion charge fines?

- K Jamex, London

Split the main zone and the WEZ. Then at least drivers can't drive from one end of London to the other.
It drives me mad that if you live within the zone (and thus get a 90% discount on the fee), it's cheaper to drive around London than to buy a tube ticket, how does that make sense?

- Alex Ball, London, UK

Good move Bozza
Keep the WEZ and for goodness sake extend it to us poor benighted souls south of the river and link it to emissions. The sooner that hippowagons are banished from London's roads the better.

- Oli, Sarf London

No surprise there then. What e should do is extend it East towards brick lane where the real congestion is. There is an added bonus of stuffing a few million Labour voters too, I mean wasn't the predominance of Tory voters in Kensington a consideration of Red Ken's?

- Steve, Brentford

I haven't seen any comments regarding why anyone should be driving in Central London? If you have a business I realise it's a real pain but the whole idea was to rid London of unneccessary car trips. The money gained from the CC is plowed back into better public transport, which is in abundance anyway so there really is no need for anyone with a private car to moan.

- Rod, Epping, UK

Full marks for a sensible decision to reverse a silly policy.

And if it means he'll lose the next mayoral election - even better.

- Jg, London

Boris has just denied it by Tweet: "I said I wld listen to Londoners, they said they don’t want it. Whatever you hear otherwise, I will be removing the WEZ"
Of course if he had the courage to ask the people of West London if they wanted more congested roads, more crowded buses and tubes with higher fares he would have had a different response.

- Charlie Lloyd, Hackney UK

" Ken is Dead!
Long Live Ken!! "

- Fresh, London

Well done Boris! At least you are difficult making decisions that benefit the majority. You'll get my vote!

- Mc, London

I don't own a car, or live in West London but I voted for Boris to see some honest politics. I also persuaded several other people to vote for him too. Keeping promises is the one thing I did expect from Boris as he seemed to be in such stark contrast to the weasely Livingstone.
Very disappointing, to say the least.

- Sarahn, London, UK

Perhaps the Standard could get a quote from Mr Moylan on his "which way the wind blows" advice to Boris now........

- Ian Fredericks, Camberwell

If this is true then big mistake by Boris and I voted for him.

- Dr Whooligan,, London

This would be the only sensible decision. The Western Extension reduces congestion and raises much needed funds for London’s transport network. It would be completely unfair for Boris to make it cheaper for car drivers in London, while raising public transport fares above the rate of inflation.



The Western Extension generates in the region of £70m, funding that the Mayor needs to be able to fund new initiatives such as the cycle hire scheme, the cycle superhighways, and redesigning public space.



Other benefits of the extension include a reduction in air pollution and C02 emissions. These benefits cannot be dismissed when London’ s air quality is failing to meet European standards.

- Darren Johnson, Green Party Assembly Member, london

"Political suicide. Boris is shown up for what he is - a liar, just like all the rest. In one stroke of the pen he has lost the next Mayoral election. I wonder how all those rabid supporters of his will justify this ridiculous U-turn? Over to you ..."
-Nick, Battersea

Well said Nick and if it is true that they are now going to keep the WEZ then Boris has just lost my vote at the next election.
I am praying though, that this is just another decision by the morons at TfL who have not bothered to consult the Mayor, who will confirm to us that they are indeed scrapping the WEZ.

- Dan, London, UK

One interesting point - this fully confirms that the "Congestion Zone" is not really about congestion or the environment - its just another bloody new labour tax!

- David, London

'Removing the zone would mean an estimated loss of revenue of between £55 million and £70 million for TfL '

Hang on, we were told that the whole point of the Zone was to exclude unneccessary traffic, not create a revenue stream! If that much money is being made, logically the charge should be increased, to say £25: we'll know the Zone is working when it raises no money at all!

- Mdj E10, london uk

Boris has "tweeted" that this is untrue and he will be removing the charge as planned.

- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent

But looking on the bright side we did get rid of the odious livingstone.

- Jimbob, Kensington

Tom, are your pants on fire by any chance?

"It's important to remember that a) the original WEZ was backed by the whole capital in 2004 "

outright fibs do your position no favours

- Scotty, london

I'm all for extensing it even further, at the very least, to include Camberwell, Elephant, Vauxhall and the rest of Kennington.

Those who live on the edge of the congestion charge have to suffer more traffic as drivers try to avoid the charge.

- Charles, Kennington

Derar Boris: What is the Latin or Greek for chicken? I'm sure you know - and you're it.

- Alex, London

Boris on Twitter @MayorOfLondon

I said I wld listen to Londoners, they said they don’t want it. Whatever you hear otherwise, I will be removing the WEZ
21 minutes ago from web ?

- Diana, London

Well done boris now bring in the trams.

- C May, biggin hill

The unfair congestion charge has been a total failure. It should be completely scrapped.

- Simon Ellis, London E8

Political suicide. Boris is shown up for what he is - a liar, just like all the rest. In one stroke of the pen he has lost the next Mayoral election. I wonder how all those rabid supporters of his will justify this ridiculous U-turn? Over to you ...

- Nick, Battersea

Just spoke to City Hall who appear to know nothing - the lady cannot answer my question - says that "it's a promise by the mayor to remove Western Zone but without timescale" - so a pretty open ended shabby promise.
She had not read the report as above - too busy answering the phone - I have informed her of the web-site address to aid multi-tasking.
Apopletic of Chelsea !!!

- Sarah, London

Can TfL actually afford the costs of removing the road markings and all of the signs at the moment?
The signs can be taken down easily but that is a time consuming job. What about the posts - do they remove them and re-do the footway or leave them as an obstruction? Also all the warning signs up to five miles away will need changing and they cost about £250 per square metre.
The road markings will have to be removed and there are only a few companies who can do the work which will cause a lot of roadworks and noise.
I hope the extension does go but the removal costs will have to be written into TfL's budget.

- Peter C-H, London, UK

If Boris has decided to keep it, who are we to question him? Unlike Ken Livingstone, who didn't have a clue in how to run London, we can trust Boris 100%. He knows what he is doing.

- Sarah, London

I wonder if you peal away at Boris will you find Ken Livingstone underneath. This is a classic Livingstone procedure. As the public what they want in a consultation then ignore their answer if it isn't what you like.

And we are fighting a war in Afghanistan & Iraq to introduce democracy. Brilliant example Boris.

- Peter, Harrow, UK

So, embassies abroad have stayed, trips aboroad too, and now the western extension zone satys too - a real bedrock of Boris' campaign. Boris is a liar!

- Dave Elridge, luton

Wow, reality finally triumphs over BoZo! Maybe he'll reconsider his decision to remove Bendibuses from the Red Arrow routes now.

I can't wait to see how Sarah will try to spin this.

- Roy, England

Boris has just shot up in my estimation.

- Dc, London

I find this hard to believe. If it's true, it's a catastrophic blunder on Boris' part. I'm sure we will hear otherwise.

- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent

Bad Boris, Naughty Boris.

go sit in the corner, and think about your election promises.

- Scotty, london

It's important to remember that a) the original WEZ was backed by the whole capital in 2004 and b) there were two consultations, a TfL one which was unclear and one backed by a few Tory boroughs which was rigged in favour of abolition. There hasn't actually been a *statutory* consultation as required by law.

Given that, it's a welcome development, being a pragmatic decision which will be good for cyclists, TfL's finances, congestion relief and improved air quality, all of which Boris is in favour of and all of which were undermined by his original WEZ decision. I can't wait to hear what his Tory borough chums and the Tory Assembly members have to say about this. Blue Boris is redder than a Sydney sunrise for once.

- Tom, London, UK

Boris don't let us all down now that you have been elected!!. The congestion charge was not intended as just another tax, but it now seems that it is being used for that purpose. You were elected on clear principles, of which the abolition of this part of the congestion charge zone was one. U-turns are a complete turn off for the voting public. Specific promises regularly being broken will only damage David Cameron and the Conservatives at the next general election, whilst providing more ammunition for Labour Assembly members to discredit you.

- A Boris Supporter, Croydon Uk

Surely in a recession there will be less congestion so it could be scrapped earlier... however this is just another revenue generating scheme, the impact on the environment or traffic doesn't really matter does it

- Paul, Ealing

Let's hope this is true.

Car use in London needs to be massively reduced if the city is ever going to be attractive to walk and cycle in.

The congestion zone needs expanding, not reducing.

However, electric cars and so-called 'Green' cars should not be exempt from charging, as the zone is supposed to be about reducing vehicles, not pollution. Green cars are bought by the affluent, who can well afford to pay the congestion charge.

Also the charge needs to be raised. Its farcical that people are still allowed to use private cars on places like Regent Street, which is a busy shopping street where pedestrians are treated as third-class citizens.

- Jon, London

Boris stop breaking promises you said you were going to be different from all the other politicians.

I am so glad I did not vote for you, but the people who did vote for you must be regretting it now.

- P Staker, Londonistan.

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