LIB DEMS RESPOND TO TfL 'INFORMAL' CONSULTATION ON WESTERN EXTENSION OF CONGESTION CHARGE ZONE

4.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 3rd Oct 2008

The Liberal Democrat group at the London Assembly have always opposed the Western extension of the original Central Zone of the Congestion Charging Scheme, and the Liberal Democrat manifesto in the 2008 Mayoral and Assembly elections re-affirmed our opposition. We therefore wish to remove the Western extension.

This is against a background of strong support for the original scheme and a national Liberal Democrat policy of working towards road-pricing as a replacement for Vehicle Excise Duty and high Fuel Taxes.

This position was taken on the following grounds:

· By giving a very large number of residents in the Western extension area a 90% discount on the Charge, they were positively encouraged to drive into the Central Zone, increasing congestion there. This effect was made worse by not allowing resident to pay for a single day but requiring them to "buy" a whole week, thus incentivising them to use their cars.

· The choice of the Kensington and Chelsea area as an extension to the original scheme was arbitary and based on the limitations of the existing technology. There were other areas within Greater London more in need of action against congestion.

· Consultations and opinion surveys made it clear that a majority of those living in the area in and around the Western extension were opposed to the proposal.

You can see a copy of the London Assembly Liberal Democrat Group's response by going to the transport section in the downloads area of this site.