Mayor consults on Congestion Charge Western Extension - again (Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats)

Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats <info@hflibdems.org.uk>

Mayor consults on Congestion Charge Western Extension - again

May 31, 2010 11:00 AM

Two years after being elected, London Mayor Boris Johnson is finally taking the steps he promised to begin reforming the Congestion Charge. A statutory consultation has just begun, in which people are being asked if they support the abolition of the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge Zone: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/CC-Consultation-Leaflet.pdf .

The consultation ends on 02 August and assuming that residents are in favour, the Western Extension will be abolished by the end of this year.

Liberal Democrats support the Mayor's proposals, which were in his 2008 manifesto. Hammersmith and Fulham Liberal Democrats welcomed the news, which will relieve the congestion and associated pollution that has been created in our borough, as a result of traffic diverting around the restricted area.

The original congestion charge, applying in central London, has been effective in reducing congestion in that area, increasing the use of public transport and reducing pollution caused by vehicles. However the original central area was well served by a network of public transport routes. The western extension has limited radial public transport links and the economy of the area has been badly affected by the zone, which has deterred people from travelling by car while not providing effective alternative public transport routes.

Liberal Democrats have campaigned against the western extension since it was first proposed by Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone. In Kensington and Chelsea the local Party were rewarded for their vigorous campaign in support of local businesses, winning two council seats in the Portobello area in the last year. http://www.kensingtonandchelsea.libdems.org.uk/news/000142/there_is_no_guarantee_in_life_labours_extraordinary_snub_to_portobello_traders.html

Meanwhile Liberal Democrats representatives on the GLA have suggested that the redundant cameras and infrastructure, which would cost £ 5 million to remove, should be used to improve London's air quality.

http://www.glalibdems.org.uk/news/000837/western_extension_abolition_welcomed_by_caroline_pidgeon.html

http://www.glalibdems.org.uk/news/000834/mike_tuffrey_challenges_the_mayor_to_deliver_clean_air_zone_for_central_london.html