London congestion charge to expand

Plans to expand Londonีs าcongestion chargeำ are set to go ahead despite the wide-ranging opposition to the scheme following its initial three years of operation.

The congestion charge is a fee for motorists entering central London. The fee was introduced in 2003. Originally set at ฃ5(Bt359), it now is ฃ8.5(Bt610). London is the largest city in the world to adopt a congestion charge.

The operating body, Transport for London (TfL), plans to extend the charging area westwards and aims to have it operating within a yearีs time. าThe timetable is for a February 2007 live date,ำ a TfL spokesman said.

Wide-ranging consultation has revealed that 65 percent of people affected by the plan oppose enlargement, but the TfL spokesman noted that public reaction to the initial zone in the capitalีs centre had also been negative.

The system, which aims to shorten journey times by thinning out traffic, uses a network of cameras throughout the charging zone. The cameras read license plate numbers during weekdays and check payment against a database.

If a vehicle is not recorded as having paid the ฃ8.5 daily charge of ฃ100 is issued to the registered owner.

าAfter it (the zone) was introduced, support increased and we anticipate a similar scenario with the western zone expansion,ำ the TfL spokesman said.

When the central London congestion charge was activated in 2003, the target was to reduce congestion by 10-15 per cent and improve public transport through ticket sales and fines.

Supporters of the zone say it has delivered on its promises and reduced pollution levels, but opponents argue it has hurt businesses and led to increased traffic congestion just outside the charging area.

Transport 2000, an independent think tank that focuses on sustainable transport, is enthusiastic about the current zone and the planned extension.

าIt has been a resounding success,ำ said Richard Bourn of Transport 2000. าIt has reduced congestion by 30 percent and traffic levels by about 16 per cent.ำ