totallymotor.co.uk Logo

News Story

Johnson cancels congestion charge increases

Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008 09:07
Boris Johnson claims scrapping the congestion charge plans will save TfL £10 million
London mayor, Boris Johnson, has quashed his predecessor's controversial plans for a significant hike in congestion charges.

Ken Livingstone had originally planned to raise the daily levy from £8 to £25 from October, a move which angered Porsche so much it launched a legal challenge.

However, Mr Johnson had pledged to scrap the charge and he has now done so. He also quashed a proposal to allow low emission cars free entry to the congestion charge zone, which is perhaps not quite such good news for motorists.

Mr Livingstone was dismayed by the decision, saying ditching the charge was a "further blow" to tackling climate change.

The plans initially had the highest CO2 emitting cars paying £25 to enter the congestion charge zone, whereas cars with the lowest emissions would get a 100 per cent discount (i.e. they'd get in free).

Mr Johnson, however, said abandoning the proposal will save Transport for London (TfL) £10 million, a sum that had been earmarked for the scheme.

"I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest," said Mr Johnson, enthusiastically.

"I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free."

Andy Goss, the managing director of Porsche UK, said: "We were always confident that our legal case was right and that we would win in the end.
"The charge was clearly unfair and was actually going to increase emissions in London. Porsche is proud to have played a decisive role in striking down such a blatantly political tax increase targeting motorists."

Ken Livingstone said the decision was "...a further blow to the London as groundbreaking city to tackle climate change and improve the environment.

"London will lose £30-£60m expected annual revenue from the scheme."

Related Stories 

Motor Vote 

  • Car of the Year 2008

    The retro charm of the all new Fiat 500 conquered the hearts of the judges and won the coveted European Car of the Year Award 2008. But do you agree with the judges? Full Story

Motor View