Congestion charge cheats - only seven are punished

4.51.34pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th Jul 2003

Just seven vehicles owned by congestion charge cheats have been clamped or towed away since the scheme was introduced, Mayor Ken Livingstone has revealed to the London Assembly Liberal Democrats.

Lynne Featherstone, Lib Dem transport spokesperson, asked the Mayor at today's London Assembly meeting exactly how many vehicles had been clamped and towed away after speculation that he was being too easy on congestion charge cheats.

He replied that since the scheme began in February a mere seven cars had been towed away, of which six had been clamped.

Lynne Featherstone commented:

"When the congestion charge scheme was introduced, the Mayor promised to be tough on those who repeatedly failed to pay the charge: 'The police will be alerted to look for them, to seize the cars and eventually crush them…freeloaders are not going to be allowed to get away with it.1'

"But today he admitted that just seven people have been penalised for persistently flouting the system.

"We all know the Mayor likes to bark – but he also has the power to bite! He should be making sure that those who do evade the charge face the consequences.

"Of course, the correct procedures must be followed to ensure that mistakes are not made and vehicles wrongly clamped or towed away. However it is not fair on those who pay the charge if the Mayor fails to punish those who flout it.

"The congestion charge scheme has been great for London. Cheats cannot be allowed to undermine it."

ENDS

Notes to editor:

1. Ken Livingstone, Mayor's Question Time, 26 February 2003.