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London Congestion Charge increase proposed
Date: 08 January 2014 | Author: Will Stretton
Transport for London (TfL) is planning to increase the standard daily London Congestion Charge from £10 to £11.50, and from £12 to £14 if paid the next day the scheme is enforced.
TfL claimed the increases are necessary to ensure that the charge remains "a deterrent to unnecessary journeys in central London", and will be hosting a public consultation for Londoners to voice their opinions on the charge increase. Based on the consultation's findings, TfL will prepare a report for the London mayor Boris Johnson, who will then make a decision on whether or not to go ahead with the proposals.
Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "We are keen to hear what Londoners and motorists have to say about the proposed changes.
"We do listen to the views of our customers and have made significant changes to the scheme in recent years, including the removal of the Western Extension and the introduction of the hugely popular Congestion Charging (CC) Auto Pay system."
However, several fleet industry figures have raised concern over this proposal. Gerry Keaney, BVRLA chief executive, said that: "This 15% increase in the daily charge is completely unjustified and is in effect a tax rise on essential business users who have no choice but to drive in central London. It is illogical that London cabs are exempt from the congestion charge but rental vehicles are not."
Similarly, Natalie Chapman, Freight Transport Association (FTA) head of policy London & South East, added that: "While the FTA is not opposed to the principle of the Congestion Charge, London's businesses rely on freight to deliver essential goods and services, and without the logistics industry the capital would simply grind to a halt."
The FTA has since appealed to TfL to re-think the charge, stating that it is not feasible to deliver goods on public transport, nor are alternative modes practical for the to-the-door deliveries required for central London.
The 10-week public consultation closes on 14 March 2014, and can be accessed here.
