London congestion charge to change
It seems likely that the results of a new consultation on the western extension to the London congestion charging zone could lead to a review of the entire scheme.
Boris Johnson has promised a new public consutlation on the western extension to the congestion charging after it was implemented by his predecessor despite widespread opposition. Johnson has pledged that he will abide by the new results.
Under the London scheme, any vehicle that enters the zone between 7am and 6pm is charged. A propsed scheme for Manchester is likely to focus on reducing rush hour travel by targeting people who commute by car, but will spare shoppers who drive into the city outside peak hours. Boris Johnson advisors have said they will explore the Manchester proposals, which are due to come into operation in 2013.
A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said: “No one would deny that the London congestion charging model is blunt, but there is only so far that the London mayor can go – rather than endless consultation on individual and inconsistent schemes around the country, we need the government to take a strong lead and implement an equitable system of national road-charging.”
“The burgeoning costs of motoring make a new case for national road user charging, for not only would such a system cut congestion and thereby help reduce emissions, it would save motorists money as there would no longer be any need for fuel duty or vehicle excise duty; most roads, most of the time, have no congestion, so many people would pay less.”
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The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists and cyclists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.
