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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Go-slow protest over road charge | Go-slow protest over road charge |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of drivers are taking part in an anti-congestion charge protest in a last-ditch attempt to stop the western extension of the zone. | Hundreds of drivers are taking part in an anti-congestion charge protest in a last-ditch attempt to stop the western extension of the zone. |
| Organised by the West London Residents Association, the go-slow began at Addison Road, in Kensington, in west London. | Organised by the West London Residents Association, the go-slow began at Addison Road, in Kensington, in west London. |
| Protesters claim the £8 charge will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. | Protesters claim the £8 charge will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. |
| But Transport for London (TfL) believes congestion will be cut by 15%. | But Transport for London (TfL) believes congestion will be cut by 15%. |
| Since the introduction of the charge in 2003, traffic levels have been reduced in the central zone by 20% TfL spokesperson | |
| The zone will expand west from Monday to include Kensington and Chelsea. | The zone will expand west from Monday to include Kensington and Chelsea. |
| TfL also claims the number of vehicles will be reduced by 10 to 15% once the charge is introduced. | TfL also claims the number of vehicles will be reduced by 10 to 15% once the charge is introduced. |
| The protest convoy and march will travel along the Earls Court Road, which will be the boundary of the new zone. | The protest convoy and march will travel along the Earls Court Road, which will be the boundary of the new zone. |
| One resident said: "We're fighting him (Ken Livingstone). At least we can show him that we care, even if he doesn't." | |
| Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: "We've been protesting for a long time. | Merrick Cockell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said: "We've been protesting for a long time. |
| "It (congestion charge expansion) comes into effect on Monday and we just thought we'd remind him (Mr Livingstone) that we are still here. We still object to the extension." | |
| But a TfL spokesperson said: "No one's interests are served by organising a drive slow on a Saturday, causing congestion and delays, when people are trying to go about their business and go shopping. | |
| "The central London congestion charge has worked. Since the introduction of the charge in 2003, traffic levels have been reduced in the central zone by 20%." | |
| He said this meant that each day in 2006 there were almost 70,000 fewer vehicles entering the charging zone compared with the number that had been entering each day before charging began. | |
| London Mayor Ken Livingstone said congestion charging has cut pollution and CO2 levels and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased the reliability of buses. | London Mayor Ken Livingstone said congestion charging has cut pollution and CO2 levels and improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, as well as increased the reliability of buses. |