Final vote to scrap C charge extension

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Final vote to scrap C-charge extension

Thursday July 29, 2010

West Londoners need to make their views known one more time if they want the western extension of the Congestion Charge Zone (WEZ) to be scrapped before Christmas.

The Mayor of London’s third and final ten-week consultation – which is a statutory requirement, according to Transport for London (TfL) officials – closes this Sunday (August 2).

Click on: 
www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/15520.aspx (opens new window).

Mr Johnson originally announced his intention to ditch the unpopular extension in December 2008 after 67 per cent of residents and 86 per cent of businesses said they wanted the WEZ removed. According to TfL rules the Mayor needed to include a question on the WEZ in his Transport strategy – which he did and again showed residents wanting it scrapped.

The latest consultation is the third and final stage needed to scrap the WEZ with the last charging day likely to be Christmas Eve if the results are the same as the previous consultations.

Mayor Johnson said: “West London never wanted the western extension and it is right that residents there can now tell us whether this Christmas should see the end of it.”

The West London Residents Association (WLRA) has consistently campaigned against the WEZ with the support of Hammersmith & Fulham (H&F) Council.

WLRA Chairman Gordon Taylor said: “We know that the overwhelming majority of our 14,000 members want the extension scrapped as soon as possible but if people don’t fill out this final consultation the there may be a small risk that the WEZ might not go.”

The £123million extension to the original central zone has been described as ‘West London’s invisible Berlin Wall’ after the effect it had in dividing families and cutting businesses off from their customers. Figures released by TfL in 2008 proved that the WEZ had failed to speed up travel times within the zone with London’s streets as clogged up as they were before the levy was introduced in 2003.

The revelation gave ample ammunition to the scheme’s opponents, particularly those who criticised the WEZ as a measure driven more to tax drivers than alleviate congestion.

Cllr Nick Botterill, H&F Council Cabinet Member for Environment, says: “The reality of the western extension is that it is a tax on drivers that has not reduced congestion, has no environmental benefits and is damaging local businesses. The only thing the WEZ has achieved is cutting business off from customers and dividing families from each other and vital services.”

TfL first consulted on the WEZ in the summer of 2004. Three million questionnaires were sent out and, of the 110,000 responses, 63 per cent of residents and 84 per cent of businesses were against. A second consultation, in the summer of 2005, showed 70 per cent of residents and 80 per cent of businesses against. Despite this opposition the WEZ was still imposed in February 2007.

Cllr Botterill continues: “The WEZ doesn’t just hurt residents inside it. The people who are paying the highest price for this failed scheme are residents just outside the zone as we are the ones who don’t get a discount. We are the ones who have to pay to take our children to school across the border. We are the ones who have to pay to visit friends or relatives inside the zone.”

Before the extension was added from February 19, 2007, a TfL probe proved that H&F had the most congested roads in London. The figures showed that H&F loses a staggering 7.6 million hours in traffic compared to 6.9 million in neighbouring Kensington & Chelsea. There is no evidence that the extension has reduced congestion in H&F.

Cllr Botterill concludes: “There are a variety of views out there but it must be said the vast majority of local residents have consistently said they want the WEZ to be discontinued. This council was against the extension before it was imposed, we are opposed to it now and we will continue to be penalised until The Mayor consigns this failed experiment to the history books.

“I would encourage everyone to make one last effort to make their views know in the current consultation.”

More information on the consultation, including the supporting documents, is available from TfL’s website at www.cclondon.com (opens new window).

WEZ – the facts

  • H&F has the most congested roads in the capital and congestion is now back to pre-c-charge zone levels in central London
  • Families unable to pay the £8 charge have been cut off from relatives and vital services, like hospitals and schools
  • Business, like florists, estate agents and dry cleaners, have complained about being cut off from customers as they cannot afford the £8 levy every day
  • Residents inside the zone get a 90 per cent discount to travel into central London with H&F residents paying full price
  • H&F Council had to strengthen its parking controls to stop commuters dropping cars off around tube stations before finishing their journeys into the zone
  • Figures from the latest available financial year showed that drivers handed over £252 million to TfL but when running costs are taken into account, TfL was left with a net income of just £89 million

» Send us your comments now

Hard to believe there is yet another consultation. The promise to remove the CC extension was in the Mayor's manifesto. We must not let those in the rich man's playground of K&C, Westminster and the City overturn this commitment.
From Jane Reed on 24/08/2010 at 14:49
It is disgraceful that we should be subjected to yet another expensive consultation on the C-Charge. Boris pledged to do away with it, based on the overwhelming figures in the first vote. Since then, businesses and families have gone on suffering. Where we live in Munster Road, congestion and pollution have gone through the roof. Daily we see heavy lorries increasingly thundering along our road at all hours. This in itself is a disgrace, as there are three large schools in the Munster Road area and at least as many day nurseries. So, the continuation of the C-zone brings us more congestion, more pollution and raises the chances of the elderly or young getting maimed or killed on our streets.
From John Williams-Baker on 24/08/2010 at 14:48
Rip it out quick... and the main, central bit.
From Michael Foster on 24/08/2010 at 14:47
Congestion Charge extension in West London should be scrapped.
From Anonymous on 24/08/2010 at 14:46
I think this congestion charging needs to be scrapped altogether. We pay high taxes and then Road Tax and National Insurance and we have the highest fuel tax in the world. The government seems to be getting more and more of its tax payers money and still complains about not having enough. I warn that if the people are squeezed and pressured so much, then this country will turn for the worst. Listen to the People and see how it feels to live like an average class human being. I's not easy. We need the government to support us, not rip us off.
From Anonymous on 24/08/2010 at 14:45
scrap the western extension altogether.
From philip vaughan on 30/07/2010 at 19:34
I believe that the congestion charge is killing shops, peoples lives, visitors are reluctant to come, no parking spaces and paying to drive where you live, then parking permits, only 1 visitors' permit, no parties etc. I have not driven to the West End since. Please think of others.
From Pamela Rose on 30/07/2010 at 17:58
London may be back to pre C charge levels of congestion but the rest of the country has got worse. To speak of families being "cut off" betrays a complete lack of understanding of how normal people in Londin access vital services like schools and hospitals; by public transport or taxi at a push. It only takes a small reduction in congestion to save any business far more than 8 pounds a day. If more H&F residents start driving into central London congestion in H&F will get even worse. Having to strengthen a few parking controls is a small price to pay for less congestion. After all Westfield caused belated strengthened parking controls and brought few jobs to the borough. 89 million pounds still provides a lot of public transport improvements for those who can't afford a car.
From Andykn on 30/07/2010 at 17:15
I think we should stick to the original central london congestion charge area and put the price up for cars. Commercial vehicles should have a reduced rate for very early morning or very late deliveries. Cars should not be exempt, but a reduced rate could apply for electric or equivalent. There should be lots more parking for motorbikes (with a small charge), and more cycle racks.
From clark on 30/07/2010 at 16:50

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