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London drivers face double whammy of ‘£1 a mile toll’ and congestion charge
Katharine Barney, City Hall Reporter12.10.09
Motorists face being charged to drive on London's busiest roads under radical new plans by Boris Johnson.
Drivers could be forced to pay for every mile they drive — on top of the congestion charge — as the Mayor fights to plug a multi-million-pound hole in the Transport for London budget.
If previous government proposals are followed the cost could be up to £1.34 a mile. Someone with a 12-mile round trip to work in central London during the day could pay a total of £20.
Cars would be tracked by satellite and charged for entering the most congested areas. The plan would raise significant revenue for the Mayor and if it works would open up busy areas to cyclists and improve bus journey times. It would also reduce pollution from cars.
The proposals were outlined in the Mayor's Transport Strategy, released today, which sets out his vision for the future of roads, Tubes and buses. A spokesman for Mr Johnson said: “There are no firm figures in place, but it is something that Boris is looking at.”
Mr Johnson has not yet held talks with the Government to discuss the proposals.
Local government expert Tony Travers said the road pricing costs were likely to be similar to those proposed by Alistair Darling in 2005 when he was transport minister.
He said: “If that was being imagined for a scheme back then there's no reason it should have gone down. For this to be effective people have got to feel it and therefore the amount needs to be substantial.”
The busiest areas in London would be targeted. These include Edgware Road, Marble Arch, Hyde Park Corner, Embankment and busy suburban areas such as Croydon and Greenwich.
The news came as the Government's climate change committee recommended road pricing across the UK to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Government has previously drawn up its own road pricing plans, under which cars would be fitted with a satellite receiver to calculate charges, with prices including fuel duty ranging from 2p per mile on uncongested roads to £1.34 on the most congested roads.
Mr Johnson announced plans to abolish the western extension of the congestion zone, a move which would lose TfL up to £70 million a year.
The new charges would help plug the gap left by the loss of revenue and contribute towards filling a £2.25 billion black hole in TfL's finances caused by the collapse of Tube maintenance firm Metronet as well as fewer people using the Tube. Another way of raising revenue would be to significantly raise fares.
The Mayor's transport strategy document says: “The Mayor may consider managing the demand for travel through pricing incentives (such as parking charges or other charging regimes) in order to meet the overall objectives of the transport strategy.
“The Mayor may consider road user charging schemes ... The Mayor will also consider imposing charges or tolls to support specific infrastructure improvements, such as river crossings.
“The application of road user charging policies could further reduce traffic, congestion, and vehicle emissions.
“The Mayor will also continue to examine charging schemes covering inner and potentially outer London.”
Mr Travers said the idea was “interesting” but it would only make sense if the congestion charge was abolished.
He said: “It would solve a whole lot of problems at once.
“You would generate huge amounts of revenue which could transform TfL and there would be a lot less people on the roads.”
Dr Helen Hill, policy director of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “While businesses accept road charging is sometimes necessary to fund essential infrastructure, there is a worry that the Mayor could use road tolls as little more than a money-making scheme for TfL.
“Businesses in the capital should not be asked to write a blank cheque for every new scheme dreamt up by TfL or City Hall.”
Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's transport adviser, said: “The strategy is a comprehensive look at how to manage growing demands on transport to 2031.
"As such it includes the flexibility that, if the raft of other measures to address congestion and pollution do not have the expected effects, road user charging could at that time be considered. This would be very much the last resort, and very much in the long term.”
London's transport strategy
TUBES
Increase number of Northern line trains through the City. Extend the Northern line to Battersea. Consider extending the Bakerloo line further south. Investigate extension of DLR to Dagenham Dock and south of Lewisham, west of Bank and north of Stratford International. Increase capacity at major stations including Victoria, Tottenham Court Road, Bond Street, Paddington and Bank.
BUSES
Introduce first prototype of new Routemaster by 2011. Review concessionary fares for the elderly and unemployed. Three-year trial of hydrogen-powered buses from next year. All new buses entering the service from 2012 will use hybrid technology. Cut roadworks by introducing lane-rental charges, rising at peak hours. Introduce an “intelligent” traffic light system. Review all tunnels to check fire, lighting and surveillance levels.
RAIL
Support for new services to European destinations. Introduce a terminal for any new high-speed line. Ensure Crossrail is delivered by 2017. Introduce Oyster to all stops by the end of next year. Reduce congestion at Clapham Junction, Finsbury Park, Bromley South, Wimbledon, Vauxhall and Barking.
RIVER
River crossing in east London. Make funding of piers a condition of planning applications. Upgrade Woolwich Ferry. Investigate bridge or tunnel at Gallions Reach.
WALKING AND CYCLING
Introduce 6,000 cycle hire bikes across zone 1 by summer 2011.Create 12 “Cycle Superhighways”.Offer cycle training. Electronic countdowns at traffic lights. Remove guard rails and other street furniture.
Reader views (96)
I work on the tube and have to say if everyone stopped using cars and took the tube then london would grind to a halt.
I live in hackney I am nowhere near a tube station. It takes 2 buses to get to work and takes an hour. For convenience, I go to work by motorbike, takes 15 minutes.
I get free travel, but prefer to pay to ride for the time it saves me.
If I was to ride a pushbike as people have suggested, it will take a lot longer to travel and I don't have the time to spare. Add to that the time I would need to spend showering. Also there is no available space where I work to install showers.
On top of that I pay tax and insurance on my motorbike which will go to waste if I have to leave it at home.
- Ch, london
If they charge, then make it something like 1 penny times by the engine size (in litres) per kilometre.
- David King, London, UK
"Remember cycling is only possible if you are relatively young, healthy have nothing to carry & your employer provides facilities to shower the cycling sweat away
- James, City of London"
Utter tosh. Young and healthy? I've seen Boris on a bike and he is neither. I also see many 50+ cyclists out on the road in London and all of them seem to do just fine.
Nothing to carry - do you look around you at all when you're driving around? Almost every cyclist you see will have a backpack or (better) a panier or two. Sweaty? No need to pedal like crazy, you're already faster than everything else on the road.
"So it turns out that Boris was completely disingenuous in his campaign to win the London mayoral election, can we trust anything the Tories say in the run up to next year's national elections???
- Richard, London"
What on earth did you expect? They're politicians, they lie. It's what they do. Tory politicians too, so they lie even more.
"BUT HOW DO YOU GET FROM ILFORD TO BARNET WITH A LADDER TO DECORATE A SICK RELATIVES FLAT, AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS?
- Alan Green, England. The forgotten country."
Um... leave the ladder there? (And there's no need to shout.)
"If i strap my toolbox and equipment to my cycle then peddle off to work, will Health and Safety pull me up and say "where's your Risk Assessment and Procedures"?
- Tony, Basildon"
Nope.
- Emma, Bloomsbury, England
Imagine being able to walk and cycle in London without being threatened by injury or death. To breathe fresh London air that doesn't stink or make you ill. To get everywhere in a fast, clean, reliable public transport system that is well-funded and connected with well thought-out bike terminals. To roam freely, being able to talk to friends and neighbours without being drowned out by traffic noise or run over.
- Nic, London
It hardly seems fair, does it? I've never paid a penny in vehicle excise tax, petrol tax, MOT, insurance, CONgestion charge or for a parking spot. I always have a comfortable seat from which to enjoy the sites of this glorious city, I am exempt from traffic jams and there is always a parking space right near my destination and at my home. Every journey I make is a joyful experience and makes me healthier and stronger and my travel times are shorter then anyone else's. The only reason I have no sympathy for the poor downtrodden motorists is that most of them have the right to make the same choice as me and if these people choose to win then the people without choice will win as well.
Some of us are too busy to be stuck in traffic and wait for busses, maybe people choose to cycle because it makes so much sense?
Could rational thinking be creeping into politics? Remember Mr Johnson that bad news for 3 million motorists is good news for 4.7 million non-motorists giving you a majority of almost %64 - keep this up and you'll become the president of Europe!
- Dave, London - England, father of modern democracy and freedom of choice!
The Deputy Mayor was interviewed at length on television yesterday, and he stated clearly that there are no plans for road pricing in London.
- Kate, London
WOW-EE!!!!! Poor taxed-to-oblivion Londoners.
Move to sunny Morecambe and enjoy the excellent cycle lanes and the priceless view across Morecambe Bay to Cumbria.
Better still, buy yourself a sturdy pair of boots and walk - that is what your feet were made for!
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
I commute by bike from Kingston to London Bridge, it's about 13 miles and takes about 45mins. Try doing that in a car! Far quicker than driving, cheap, and a great exercise.Numerous medical studies show it not only regular exercise reduces cancer risk, heart disease and let's not even get onto the environmental benefits. All those drivers who complain about cyclists, try getting a parking space and getting through a junction if we all start driving.Some people need cars, but far less than actually do drive. If this measure forces these non essential drivers to think again then fair play to Boris. As for the safety issue, look at the injury stats, it's very safe. Finally look at the tax breaks given to cycling, the bike to work scheme can save you income tax and putting in showers at a workplace can be a tax deductable. Cycling is brilliant.
- Brendan, Kingston, Surrey
If i strap my toolbox and equipment to my cycle then peddle off to work, will Health and Safety pull me up and say "where's your Risk Assessment and Procedures"?
- Tony, Basildon
As an unashamed supporter of Boris, I have seen a lot of good done since he took office (he ain't perfect, but show me someone that doesn't come out of the pages of a holy book that is). I think this one may turn and bite him though. In politics, it only takes one 'big one' to do you in. If this proposal as presented goes ahead, I think BJ will have found his big one. It's unfortunate, because another of the likes of Ken and his ilk might get their chance as a result and reverse what good BJ has managed to do during his short time in the sun.
It may be 'the right thing to do' for the situation for all I know, but he should learn from the national government of the day - extreme wishlist fulfilment is seldom popular with all of the people you need to vote for you next time around. He can't put right other things that are wrong if he isn't there any more.
That political pendulum thing really sucks sometimes!
- Rogan, Irving
Good one Boris, but why extend the Northern line to Battersea, where most people use their cars anyway? Remember that a significant part of north London remains with no effective tube connection.
- Mark, Venice, Italy
I knew there was something fishy when I was witnessing all the bus stops gradually moving further towards the centre of our roads.
Eveidently these changes added to the illusion of more congestion.
It then came to my mind that the only reason for it would be to force hundreds of thousands of people out of their cars and onto the London transport system.
I'm not suprised one bit with what has been suggested and also I have seen other clever future tactics by the authorities.
I'll persist in keeping my mouth as I am proud of being part of the silent majority.
- Sax, London, England
I voted for Boris to GET RID of the congestion charge NOT to create a NEW ONE!!!
I've had it i'm leaving this country. I can no longer bear living in London or the UK.
I'm selling and going
- Mark, London
What a great idea tax on tax on tax. I would go one stap further and tax the pedestians for walkinhg on the pavements, i mean they wear out the paving stones,get in each others way, create congestion and interrupt the flow of traffic on the roads. So if we reduce their numbers there would be more space for cars and more tax to count at TFL.
- Mr S.Port, London
LOL at all the motorists getting thier knickers in a twist. Would these be the same drivers who get equally frustrated stuck in a traffic jam? Dear oh dear. Face it. londons roads cannot cope with the demand of traffic. Measures have to be taken to DETER non-essential drives into the capital. Sadly, we cannot distinguish between rich and poor but without any sort of charge our roads would be at complete gridlock.
- Cyclesteve, London
Boris got a lot of votes from 3 million car drivers in London against anti-car Ken - he will lose them if he backs this policy. We already pay huge costs in depreciation, fuel duty, road tax, VED, congestion charges, parking charges, service costs, wear and tear, etc... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, stop picking on car drivers!
- D Smith, London
Well you all voted for the Buffoon, now when he does something you don't like, (revert to type more like), you're up in arms!
I hope he makes you all howl, you deserve it.
- Kerry, Purley
BLOODY BORIS, THATS ONE LESS VOTE FOR YOU POSH BOY!!
- Kevin, london,
Boris has double standards, he says wants to reduce emissions and so wants road pricing. Motorist already pay 70p+ in tax per litre of fuel and also road tax. Why should motorist be paying for the pollution caused by the aviation industry? He supports expansion of London City Airport. Yet the aviation industry does NOT pay a penny in fuel tax!. Taxation has to be fair!.
- W.L., Docklands
Looks like Boris got to CIty Hall and realised Ken was right about taxing cars for crowding into London. There really isn't an alternative.
Sadly, the tube and trains can't cope with more passengers, because the money wasn't spent on new lines when dosh WAS available. Long-term projects like Crossrail can't be started and cancelled when there is a recession, or they'd never be built at all.
About time the Bakerloo was extended, and the Northern split into two.
- Alex Mckenna, Woodford
If this story is correct, it is a total betrayal and Boris will deserve to be slung out of office at the first opportunity.
Londoners are fed up with this legalised 'highway robbery'.
The main cause of congestion (and hence pollution) are too many bus lanes - which are empty much of the time while cars are stuck in long jams. Buses, unlike modern cars. do not have catalytic converters and belch out dangerous diesel fumes. Buses not only cause pollution themselves, but create more congestion for everyone else.
Motorists already pay through the nose with road tax, petrol tax, parking tax and even tax on insurance. If London needs to save money (and plug the financial black hole left by Commissar Ken) they could start by abolishing the London Assembly - which is a complete waste of time and money - and also the office of Mayor. Also, cancel the 2012 Olympics while they are at it.
Leave the motorists alone!!! Enough is enough!
- A. Driver, London
I mend buildings all over London, and my van carries half a ton of kit most days; I don't use Marylebone Road for fun at any time. If I and others like me have to load these costs on to our clients, central London will become even more completely empty of native population, and just be a tourist theme park and nothing else.
I always regarded Tony Travers as a wise man until now, but how he believes that you can price people off the road and raise money from them at the same time is a concept too subtle for me to grasp.
- Mdj E10, london uk
no wonder motorists think what they do about cyclists.
for some reason they think the semantics over name changes, and ear marking of funds changes the underlying meaning of road tax.
maybe they cycle because they're just not smart enough to pass their test?
Viva James Martin.
- Scotty, London
I wonder if the politicians’ will be paying the tolls out of their pocket? NO it will be out of ours.
It’s great if you are rich, no oinks on the road - they have all been priced off.....
- Derek Grieve, Barnet
You just lost my vote next time round Boris.
- Lawrence, UK
I'm laughing so hard here!! If Ken had come up with this, you lot would have had his head one a plate! Ha, ha!!! Oh, by the way, you don't pay road tax. You pay Vehicle excise duty and it does not go to mantain the roads, it goes to Central Government and it's collected by the DVLA. YOU ARE NOT PAYING FOR THE ROADS!
- Coolcyclists, London, UK
ITS NOT THAT THERE TOO MANY CARS. ITS TOO MANY CARS BECAUSE TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE FORCED TO USE A CAR BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING ELSE
- Alan Green, England. The forgotten country.
THEY COMPULSORY PURCHASED HOUSES ON THE NORTH CIRCULAR ROAD FIRFTY YEARS AGO, TO WIDEN IT. THE EMPTY HOUSES ARES STILL THERE TODAY AS A MONUMENT TO OUR TOATAL INABILITY TO GET A MODERN TRANSPORT SYSTEM FOR LONDON. WHERE ARE THE FAST MONORAILS, THE RIVER TRANSPORT, THE CAR PARKS ON THE M25 WITH DIRECT ACCESS TO LONDON BY NON STOP TRAIN?ALL NON EXISTENT.
YOU CAN TAX AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE BUT ALL YOU DO IS SHIFT THE BURDEN TO ANOTHER SECTOR. IN OUR CASE THE BROKEN DOWN TUDE.
BUT HOW DO YOU GET FROM ILFORD TO BARNET WITH A LADDER TO DECORATE A SICK RELATIVES FLAT, AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS?
ANSWERS PLEASE ON A POSTCARD. BORIS OF COURSE IS AS CLUELESS THE REST.
- Alan Green, England. The forgotten country.
It's a tripple whammy as we already pay petrol tax.
- Peter, Harrow, UK
More muddled thinking about dealing with emissions; yet another report advocating milking the motorist while allowing aviation (airline operators still benefit from tax free fuel) unfettered growth, despite the fact that only a minority regularly fly whereas most people are obliged to use the roads for essential journeys. Are we going to be prevented from heating our houses, driving, and filling dustbins, just so a minority can continue to fly with no controls?
- Jon Kent, Hertford. UK
This road charging plan sounds similar to the system that operates in Singapore although perhaps an expat will correct me.
If these plans mean that we have the possibility of having a state of the art public transport system like they have in Singapore then it has to be welcomed.
- Vivek, London
Drivers in London are being shafted big time, the answer is avoid the place like the plague. I try to at all costs, it saves me a fortune!. The London Mayor and his cronies should be the first quango to go under David Cameron - get rid of the lot of them.
- Mark Burton, St Ives. Cambs
People who voted for Boris thinking he would scrap CC have only themselves to blame. Quite apart from revenue, it's a good incentive not to drive.
In the early 1980s, I travelled from Wandsworth to Aldwych. The journey sometimes took nearly an hour and a half because of congestion. When I travelled recently at peak times, it took about 35 mins. CC and cheap public transport DOES work.
If you want to see clogged-up roads and ineffective public transport, you need to spend some time in Bristol, Bath and the rest of Somerset.
- Anil, glos
More utter piffle from Boris as if he had a funding gap he would retain the WEZ!!!
talking about Road charging comes under "being seen to do something" the reality is nothing will get done by Boris afterall he still has not started the consultation into the Western C-Charge zone!!!
As for Routemaster this has no place in the 21st Century when virtually no one pays cash single fares anymore its simply a dream of a public school boy who knows nothing about London.
If Boris wanted green transport then he would not have cancelled Tram and DLR schemes that were ready to go.
As for tube station upgrades 3 of those listed are part of Crossrail and so are already down to be done!
- Melvyn Windebank, Canvey Island, Essex
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
Ok Sue what rate of Vehicle Excise duty would you set for a bicycle, before you answer I'm sure you are aware that vehicles with CO² emissions of less than 100g/km are exempt from paying it.
My five year old lad is has his bike attached to mine and we both travel on the road would that mean he would have to pay tax and insurance. What about my 14 year old?
Maybe you shuld get on your bike it might do you some good.
- Dc, London
I don't remember any mention of this malarkey when he was on the cadje for votes. this'll be the new honest tories then? an early foretaste of what to expect when
cameron moves into no10 then.
- M.O'Brien, london.uk
Isn't it time we were told how much money is being wasted on prematurely retiring the articulated buses, some of which are now providing excellent service on Luton Airport shuttle, and designing and building a new routemaster which will almost certainly never go into service because of safety considerations and high opeating costs ie the need for both a driver and a conductor?
- James, London England
I backed Boris to get rid of Livingstone, not to see his miserable polices get brought in by Boris.
We always suspected the CON in CONgestion Charge was similar to the CON in David Cameron's CONservatives.
Never trust a man who rides a bike.
We already pay through the nose for fuel and parking, and another tax is just a insult.
When did Boris say this in last year's election?
Boris had back off fast, or else it is UKIP and independents for next year.
- James Mason, Croydon, UK
James, your theory that for people to be able to ride a bike is laughable at best. As a commuter on 2 wheels i see folk of all ages pedalling into work, overtaking buses and cars with a smile on thier face. Many of them have these thigs called rucksacks and some even attach panniers to thier bikes in order to carry thier wares. Fitness does play a part and by getting on that bike you are only making yourself fitter. I do however agree that shower facilities can be an issue, to overcome that i usually cruise into work (whats the hurry? Its only work), and in the evening speed on home.
- Paddy, Hackney, London
Once again why do we need a City Hall with bureaucrats like Boris Johnson costing the Tax Payer a fortune.
When we already have Transport For London.Metropolitan Police Authority,Local Town Hall,Local Councils.
Let a Soldier or a Police Officer run for Mayor.
I watched When Boris Met Dave on Channel 5,
made me more cynical about these characters than I already am.
Jolly Johnson must go.he has a hidden agenda
- Barry Deane, Richmond, United Kingdom
So. Lots of people on this discussion start their post with 'So'. Anyway, the Greater Manchester authorities tried to bring in a congestion charge here last year. They actualy put it to a vote and it was over 70% against. Why not ask Londoners if they would be willing to pay for road pricing?
- Dan, manchester
Hang on a minute a hole in tfls budget..so what about the millions it has made since it got introduced?? all the fat cats wages i suppose...this country is just a money maker for the rich mps and alike..people we need to stand up against this..and get rid of baffon boris the public school pratt who is not in touch with the average working londoner..go back to your 2 million pound pad in leafy islington/cannonbury boris..
- Rsaviour, london
For God's sake Boris, I didn't work like a dog to get you elected to then see you carry on with the same sort of rubbish, knee jerk, anti motorist policies that your dreadful predecessor supported so keenly. It is plainly apparent that there is a cleansing of the Augean stables badly needed at TfL, starting with the dismissal of Kulveer Ranger.
BORIS - GET A GRIP ON TfL MAN!
- Matthew, London, UK
Typical Torie policy,double taxation,boy,are we in for a treat in 10 months time.
- Dave, london
I notice that motorbikes do not feature in the strategy. Very shortsighted, just like the rest of this "strategy".
- Dannyp, Egham
You get what you paid for. Who voted the clown in.Be consoled that all this will hasten his demise as "Mayor"
T H Leeds
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
I think if this is introduced ,people should as a protest stop using their cars in the capital ,full stop.
It obviously is not to stop congestion , but to plug a gap in transport for london's finances,i.e a tax on motorists.
Its time the people of this country stood up for themselves and put a stop to this lunacy.
After 2 weeks of no vehicle use the capital would cease to function.
Methinks the the country needs another general strike.
MR (WHEN WILL IT EVER STOP) PASTRY
- Mr Pastry, london
Quote: Dc, London. How many times do people commenting on this site need to be reminded. There is no such thing as road tax, it is called vehicle excise duty. This is used in part to pay for motorways which are not used by cyclists. The cost for Road and street maintenance is partly funded from your council tax. Also, how exactly would you enfore a five year old child to pay for insurance and bike tax?
A very sensible and logical point, Dc; but there are none so blind, that will not see etc, like frustrated car drivers in 4x4s.
I think James would force all children on cycles to hand over all their pocket money, or at least get a riding licence for the M1.......Mick
- Mickinlondon, london
Let's face it. London is now just one great big parking place choked by traffic - just like in the day of the horse. Horse poo was good for the garden - bull poo is all you get from government.
- Fred, London
I understand that this new tax will extend well beyond the centre of London to the M25 Boundary !!!
Mickinlondon, London "No-matter what; you can't really fault a simple bike . . as a 67 year old with an invalid wife to care "
So you wife cycles as well and no doubt that her needs, medicine, disabled goods and hospital services which all arrive by cycle from the producers. If you are healthy at 67 good luck to you, but you are mistaken no amount of cycling will make your wife completely healthy.
Clearly you are of the malodorous breed of cyclist that could not care less about others around you being affected by your pungent and inexcusable body odour created during cycling.
You do however exemplify the point of one of many critics of cyclists in that you are self-centred and totally disregard the needs of others, apparently those closest too you in a number of respects.
- James, City of London
In principle, some of these ideas seem fine but where were they in Boris's manifesto. The only reason they're coming out now is that until Boris decided to run for Mayor, he didn't have any interest in London, unlike Ken who has always had London at heart.
- Richard, LONDON
So this is basically total speculation, like the other week when he had allegedly decided to keep the Western end of the Congestion Charge?
- Kevin T, Beckenham, Kent
So it turns out that Boris was completely disingenuous in his campaign to win the London mayoral election, can we trust anything the Tories say in the run up to next year's national elections???
- Richard, London
Yet again, foreign registered vehicles will get away without paying, just like the CC. TfL will target onto UK registered vehicles. This is a grandiose scheme, so beloved of politicians.
- Peter, London
James Baker, Bromley, Make the pious, holier-than-thou, cycle mafia pay road tax and take out insurance.
What if you have a car and already pay tax on that, and it does less than 1500 miles a year because you cycle most of the time? 2 lots of road tax for approx 4000 miles. Not a chance matey.
As for insurance, that will just go to the insurance companies, not the goverment. Sorry James, stupid suggestion.
How about finding an alternative transport method other than your holier-than-thou motor vehicle.
- Dom, London
I have a message for Gordon Brown,if you want to win the forthcoming General Election,add to your manifesto that Labour will re-nationalise ALL Public Transport without compensation,( these shareholders have milked us for long enough) and following on from there,do likewise to the Power and Water industries.
- Ian Shawcross, Fulham
Cars spend most of their life parked somewhere. This government has encouraged car ownership by giving people priority use of the road outside where they live with 'resident's parking permits'. This leads to side roads being congested most of the time and an substantial increase in the number of cars that can jam the main roads when they are being used.
Rather than try and monitor moving vehicles with a tracking device a simpler system would be to require every vehicle owner to register an off road parking space before being allowed to buy a car. No off road parking space, no car. This system is I understand used in Japan.
- Frank, Waterlooville
STOP YOUR MOANING,you Londoners are spoilt,if you want to experience how badly a Bus ( I nearly typed Service)is run,pop on a train from Paddington to BRISTOL,train fare only £100 pounds or so,on arrival check out the number of buses clogging up our streets,with just the driver on board,why,simples,the fares are dearer than our taxis,and Bristol Council Tax payers are giving FIRST BUS shareholders hundreds of thousands of pounds a year by way of subsidies.
- Colin, Bristol
Paul London,when I drove for London Transport in the 1960s most central routes ran on a 5 minute headway,except route 11,every 2 minutes,and Tony,why should the Government support Public Transport,they are Private Companies,or should they cut out the middle man,and send the support cash direct to the shareholders,the answer is to bring it back into Public (OUR) ownership,then WE can have a say in how OUR Transport System is opperated,and funded.
- Nick Johnstone, Pimlico
Much as I'm against any type of extra taxation, I can't think of another way to get our roads moving and clean up London's air. Can any of you? At least charging by the mile is fairer than a flat charge for entering London. If we're all honest a car is not a neccesity in London. People in Paris, New York, Tokyo and other cities do not bother with them.
- Mark, London
DC London:Vehicle Excise Duty goes into the general pot just like our state pension National Insurance contributions have. If you believe the money is used to repair roads your as mad as the MPs. Also, if a five year old child is riding a bicycle on the road then her parents should be prosecuted. If I had my way all cyclists that use the roads should pay a Vehicle Excise Duty (mininal amount for using the roads) and have to have third party insurance. Maybe its time this country's populas started marching in protest at some of the rediculous ideas these twerps come up with.
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
Boris posed as friend of the driver to get elected. Now he comes out with the Blue Labour rubbish of the sort you expect from New Labour.
Drivers already pay several times over to subsidise travel for everyone else, and UK-wide have given this government something like £450 billion over 12 years.
The Conservatives need to win many seats in and near to London if they are to be elected. Bone-headed policies like these will just make voters stay at home.
Boris should be cutting overpaid TFL bureaucrats, global warming advisers and 'London embassies' abroad. He should not rip off Londoners who only travel by car because it's the least worst option.
- Jools, London
"Anyone who drives into Central London during the day and is capable of using their legs deserves to get charged.
- David, London"
What about all the people servicing computers, photo copiers and other machines in all the offices in London,
should they be walking?
- Simon, E14, London
I agree with Mario Laurenza.
If there was a clean, safe, efficient tube service running twenty four hours a day there would be no need for people to use their cars.
- Cliff Steele, Melbourne Australia
Lesley in Hastings.... people who drive in London aren't 'Lazy fools' as you put it. Don't you read in these pages how many cyclists end up under the wheels of lorries in London? Do you know what public transport in London costs? How far is a person reasonably expected to walk to work, eight or nine miles each way as I would have to.
- Julian, London
Why don't we implement toll roads so that EVERYONE pays for using the roads and NOT just locals. It works in France and they have fantastic roads.
- Tracy Keating, London
"We've got the best public transport in the country by *miles" ..... That's not exactly hard, tom! Where I live the buses are one an hour starting at 07.40, not much cop when I have to be at work by 07.00 thirty miles away.
- Paul, London
Why should anybody contribute towards any type of business and be excepted to pay for the use of that business. Whoever comes up with those ideas is a shareholder of the business by some means or have their hands in the business pocket.
- Mervin, Surrey
Tolls are the way ahead and the only chance we have of weaning this country of its addiction to cars. Now can we have these schemes nationwide please?
- Ruth, London, UK
This hasn't been thought out properly. The effect will be to divert traffic to other routes, residential areas and quiet streets.
- Charlie, London
And about time too! I am sick of seeing roads clogged with single occupancy cars. Most of these lazy fools are going on short journeys that could just as easily be made by bike, walking or public transport. The age of the car is over, get used to it dinosaurs.
- Lesley, Hastings, UK
"Stop treating the motorist as a cash cow. Want to raise some revenue? Make the pious, holier-than-thou, cycle mafia pay road tax and take out insurance."
- James Baker, Bromley
How many times do people commenting on this site need to be reminded. There is no such thing as road tax, it is called vehicle excise duty. This is used in part to pay for motorways which are not used by cyclists. The cost for Road and street maintenance is partly funded from your council tax. Also, how exactly would you enfore a five year old child to pay for insurance and bike tax?
- Dc, London
"It will be seen as just another tax for Londoners."
... who drive. I don't pay it, because I don't drive into congested areas of London or the central area during charging hours. We've got the best public transport in the country by *miles* and we should be maintaining and improving that, not pandering to the selfish motorist.
It is funny that even *Boris* (or whoever wrote his strategy, I'm not sure he does that level of detail, but Boris put his name at the top and commissioned it) realises that you have to have a carrot and stick approach otherwise the whole place clogs up. This is a long way from the pathetic stuff about 'if we're nicer to drivers perhaps congestion will get better' ethic which had quite a lot of people fooled last year.
"Because bus companies are private they should also pay."
I'm not sure you understand the whole carrot/stick approach, mate.
- Tom, London, UK
I would ensure a C charge zone surrounds all of Tony Blairs many London houses as it was upon his insistance that PPP was forced on Ken Livingston. Let those in favour of the disasterous PPP pick up the tab.
- Paulb, London
Is this the reason for the latest congestion creating roadworks? All approaches to Oxford Circus reduced to one lane, tailbacks north to south and east to west, all to create the illusion that something more needs to be done. The amount of pollution this is creating is horrendous.
- Ted, London
Quote: James, City of London. Remember cycling is only possible if you are relatively young, healthy have nothing to carry & your employer provides facilities to shower the cycling sweat away
Incorrect James; I am 67 years old and ride a bike almost every day, and I don't even work up a sweat worth worrying about; the more you cycle, the fitter and less sweaty you get etc.
But even sweat is not so bad; Some women actually like the smell of fresh honest sweat on a man, something to do with Ferro-hormone's I read somewhere, and it has worked for me in the past, when I had a very earthy girlfriend, it was very interesting what my sweat actually did to her?
But you can look at it this way; if London only had the essential motor vehicles it needs to run itself efficiently, and everyone else cycled, we would need less oil, have less imports, and have far less air pollution, plus a great help in our efforts on global warming etc, and to top that off; we would have far fitter people etc.
You can carry a lot on a cycle; I use a large shoulder bag for shopping, strapped over my old back; and as a 67 year old with an invalid wife to care for, I am not allowed a Blue Badge by Westminster Council; so my bike and shoulder bag is all I have left to use etc, and at 67 years old, I can still manage to do that today, my bike is the main tool I have to use to feed my wife etc, and my legs still work at the moment.
No-matter what; you can't really fault ''a simple bike''
- Mickinlondon, london
This cannot work. I refuse to have a tracking device fitted. How can they force me. Stupid idea.
As a taxpayer I would prefer tax money to help the tube and busses. I work in a restaturant and bring my car into town because I finish in the early hours and I would like to get back home quickly and saftely. The underground will earn more money if some of the lines and stations satyed open 24 hours. I would then use the tube more often. People going out for the evening would benifit too. They could leave thier cars at home, have a drink without the worry of a conviction and get home easily.
- Mario Laurenza, London
Is Boris going to use his standard excuse about how he didn't know anything about this?
And then the normal investigation, as with the expenses and tube map, will show that he was the guy who signed it off. I wonder.
- Saif, London
unfortunately we have the worst government supported public transport in europe. all other major capitals have their fares heavily supported by governement. we have the highest cost transport system in europe. we are now suffering from years of lack of government support and boris has to pick up the crap. fares on tfl should be slashed and that would solve the car problem at a stroke. however the only agenda now seems to be to raise money any which way. chickens coming home to roost!!!
- Tony, london
Stop treating the motorist as a cash cow. Want to raise some revenue? Make the pious, holier-than-thou, cycle mafia pay road tax and take out insurance.
- James Baker, Bromley
Boris has lost my vote. Again.
Come back Ken - all is forgiven.
- Nick, Battersea
Where has the 'black hole' in Transport for London's budget come from? If it's modernisation of the tube then Red Ken is to blame. With TfL unable to direct professionally the tube modernisation programme it is pointless trying to stop private car use in London. The failing tube system cannot cope with drivers who switch from car to tube, and, if the recession doesn't do its job, then millions will swoop on London from overseas in summer 2012 for the Olympics, and the tube system will go into melt-down. A much better plan would be to ask employers to move from central London, and Boris provide financial inducements to do so. This would boost run-down areas such as Hayes in the west and West and East Ham in the east end, areas which are well-served by existing public transport systems and with good road access.
- Mike Abbott, London, UK
James, you forgot the VAT on the petrol tax. Tax on a tax!
- Paul, London
I must be missing something here. Motorists are already taxed for using the roads - it is called the road fund tax and costs approximately £180 every year. Will that be abolished I doubt it.
- Simon Ellis, London
Great news Boris! Way to go!
It takes me ages to get into the city due to the streets being filled with people in little old cars off to shop or clean - when they could be on a bus. Why make it 20 quid, make it more then I can get to work even quicker!
City Boy
- City Boy, London
I was a Boris supporter. What has been the result though?
Bendy buses are still here, the cost of driving in London is set to increase not decrease and bikes are going to be allowed to ride up one way streets the wrong way.
What a plonker! How soon can we get rid of him?
- Julian, London
This is going to be a return of only the wealthy having the means to be able to run cars and use key roads. It will also mean that we're in for a tough, aggressive rise in crime. The car has been part of national popular culture for over fifty years. It's a right of passage to obtain your driving licence as soon as is eligable. Young men regard the road as theirs. If road charges, or petrol prices become too steep, we're in for a big spiked increse in crime. Even if it's just to fund road usage.
- Geoffrey, London
congestion charging and a road tax are regressive income taxes which affect the less well off more so than the wealthy. this will only clear the road for the ferraris, bentleys and mercedes. a more fair way of taxing would be based on the value of the vehicle by using the dvla data base so higher value vehicles would pay more.
- Monty Haynes, London
Clearly this is a recipe for even more illegal cars on the road.
Whilst I have supported Johnson is that past I cannot support this. Lest just see what is taken by the government in some form or another from motoring.
Car tax, Insurance tax, Petrol tax, Vat on petrol, Vat on insurance, MOT's, Parking, Congestion Charge ( if you travel to Central London) Dartford Bridge fee, Vat on servicing, Tax on oil, etc.
No if our esteemed mayor decided to tax everybody for driving in London then those who are driving illegally would not pay, the law abiding amongst us would subsidise them. The cost of goods in London would go up as presumably would the cost of road transport such as taxi's & minicabs. Because bus companies are private they should also pay.
Motorbike will pay as will electric and fuel efficient cars because the tax is on the use of the road. The public must demand that cyclist will pay because if this group remains untaxed they will be seen as a group that the may favours as his 'special interest' group. Expensive prosecutions will end up in Europe costing the Londoner even more !
If Boris does this it is likely that neither the Conservatives, Labour, Liberal-Democrats or the Green party will be in power or mayor next time around and then the outcome may prove highly unpalatable.
Remember cycling is only possible if you are relatively young, healthy have nothing to carry & your employer provides facilities to shower the cycling sweat away
- James, City of London
This is hilarious! Many people who voted for Boris did so in the belief that he would get rid of the congestion charge. Would they have done so if they knew he'd bring in additional charges to use the roads?
- Miriam, Battersea
Grand idea,as I recieve 185,000 per annum,I will be not be affected by this decision,my journey to the office will be so much quicker when those who cannot afford the new charges are forced off our roads.
- Henry J Homethorpe, Streatham
I worked for a while for London Transport (a looong time ago) - there was a lot of grumbling that the profits got syphoned off, leaving too little to maintain the aging infrastructure of the 150 year old underground system. Is that still the case? Surely if public transport was good - and not expensive to use - people wouldn't want to drive a car though London? Wasn't that the idea behind Red Ken/GLC making all trips on the tube 10p all those years ago? Seems to me transport is just used as a cash-cow by whoever is in charge . . .
- Roz, France
It will be seen as just another tax for Londoners.
Not taking into account, the roadtax, the astronomical taxes on fuel, congestion charge we are already paying.
It is clear that Boris is the wrong man to run London.
You can tackle congestion by these roadworks that no one seems to be working on and are everywhere.
- Mario Kempe, london
Its not yet possible to track cars by satellite. Currently GPS can be spoofed or blocked fairly easily.
- Cyclist, london
Hahahahaha! I can just imagine how Ken would have been pilloried in this newspaper if he'd proposed this, and instead it's Boris that will get the flak.
- Roy, England
Anyone who drives into Central London during the day and is capable of using their legs deserves to get charged.
- David, London
