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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| C-charge extension to be scrapped | C-charge extension to be scrapped |
| (about 4 hours 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. | Mr Johnson said: "Londoners have spoken loud and clear, and the majority of people have said that they would like the scheme scrapped. |
| "One thing everybody should be assured of is my determination to make it easier for Londoners to get around our great city." | "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 | 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". | 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. | 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." | "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." |
| Green Party's Jenny Jones said Mr Johnson's decision was "bad news" for "everyone who breathes London's air" and could lead to higher fares to make up for lost revenue. | Green Party's Jenny Jones said Mr Johnson's decision was "bad news" for "everyone who breathes London's air" and could lead to higher fares to make up for lost revenue. |
| "Boris's environmental commitment now appears to be little more than a charade." | "Boris's environmental commitment now appears to be little more than a charade." |
| 'Common sense' | 'Common sense' |
| 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. | 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. | 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". | 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." | 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." |
| But Neil Churchill, chief executive of Asthma UK, called the decision "short-sighted" and said the breathing condition is made worse by traffic. | |
| "This is a disaster for the 430,000 people in London whose asthma is triggered by traffic pollution." | |
| 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 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. | The TfL would also need to carry out a separate consultation to formally remove the western extension. |