Calls to scrap or change western c-charge zone

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

London’s business leaders are asking for changes to be made to the western extension of the congestion charge zone in order to boost trade, while residents of the adjoining boroughs call to have it scrapped. London First, the organization representing the interests of the business community, wants the operating hours of the charge to be reduced from eleven hours a day to just four – from 7 a.m. to 11 am. – to encourage shoppers back to west London to help revive flagging businesses in that area.

 

The group is also asking for the congestion zone to be split into two, with separate charges to apply to the central London zone and the western extension. Under this plan, non-resident drivers would pay the usual £8 charge to enter central London and then £4 to enter the western zone, while drivers from outside the zone would pay £8 to enter the western extension zone only. This would mean that residents of either zone would not be able to drive at a hugely reduced rate throughout the whole congestion charge area, thus reducing the number of car trips made in the city centre.

 

London First was originally opposed to the extension of the congestion charge to west London but says that it would be too expensive to scrap, as £120 million has already been spent on setting up the zone. The group has warned that congestion in west London will worsen with the construction of Crossrail and the imminent opening of the White City shopping centre. London First wants some of the profits from the charge to go into new measures to reduce congestion in London.

 

However, Hammersmith & Fulham Council take the view that the extension is unfair and should be scrapped, as the scheme has not reduced congestion in west London and has disadvantaged traders in the borough, as well as made life harder for residents needing to make local journeys by car. A spokesman for the borough, which lies entirely outside the western zone, said that “residents don’t get the residents’ discount but the borough gets all the traffic running around and through it to avoid the charge”, and that small businesses such a florists, estate agents and dry cleaners are losing trade as they cannot afford the daily £8 charge just to drive into neighbouring streets to make deliveries, meet customers and show properties. Another cause for complaint is that drivers heading into central London just dump their cars in the borough’s parking bays and continue their journey on public transport.

 

The public consultation on whether to keep or change the western extension will be closing on Sunday, and local residents are hoping that London’s mayor, Boris Johnson, will heed their strong objections and scrap the western c-charge zone altogether.

 

 

 

 

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