This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7752046.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| C-charge extension to be scrapped | C-charge extension to be scrapped |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The western extension of central London's congestion zone is to be scrapped, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced. | The western extension of central London's congestion zone is to be scrapped, London Mayor Boris Johnson has announced. |
| He has revealed he is to begin legal procedures to remove the £8-a-day toll. | He has revealed he is to begin legal procedures to remove the £8-a-day toll. |
| The move follows a public consultation in which 67% of respondents, including 86% of businesses, said they wanted the extended levy zone lifted. | The move follows a public consultation in which 67% of respondents, including 86% of businesses, said they wanted the extended levy zone lifted. |
| The charge was extended to most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London last February. | The charge was extended to most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London last February. |
| It is thought that the earliest it could be removed is by spring 2010. | It is thought that the earliest it could be removed is by spring 2010. |
| Mr Johnson said: "Londoners have spoken loud and clear, and the majority of people have said that they would like the scheme scrapped." | |
| He added: "One thing everybody should be assured of is my determination to make it easier for Londoners to get around our great city." | He added: "One thing everybody should be assured of is my determination to make it easier for Londoners to get around our great city." |
| About 28,000 people had responded in the five-week public consultation. | |
| The rolling back of the congestion charge is a foolish and backward step by Boris Johnson Val Shawcross, Labour | |
| The Labour party said the decision was "against the interest of Londoners". | |
| Labour's transport spokesperson Val Shawcross said: "The rolling back of the congestion charge is a foolish and backward step by Boris Johnson. | |
| "It will lose Transport for London (TfL) £70m a year that could have been spent on improving our public transport system, and will increase traffic and air pollution in one of the dirtiest and noisiest areas of central London." | |
| TfL said there would be a small increase in pollution and carbon dioxide emissions once vehicles returned to the area, but that it was unlikely to have a big impact on air quality. | |
| A separate TfL survey of 2,000 residents and 1,000 businesses indicated that 41% wanted to end the toll charge. | |
| The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomed the decision, saying "common sense has prevailed". | |
| A spokesman said: "This is an important milestone for many of the capital's hard-pressed businesses and we urge the mayor to launch a root-and-branch review of the original charging scheme in the central zone." | |
| The removal of the C-charge extension is part of the mayor's draft transport strategy, which will be subject to a 12-week public and stakeholder consultation to begin in summer 2009. | |
| The TfL would also need to carry out a separate consultation to formally remove the western extension. |