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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Congestion charge zone increases | Congestion charge zone increases |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| London's congestion charge zone roughly doubled in size at 0700 GMT with a westward expansion coming into force. | London's congestion charge zone roughly doubled in size at 0700 GMT with a westward expansion coming into force. |
| The £8-a-day road toll scheme now takes in most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London. | |
| Transport for London (TfL) predicts traffic in the extended zone will fall by up to 15% as a result of the charge. | Transport for London (TfL) predicts traffic in the extended zone will fall by up to 15% as a result of the charge. |
| About 55,000 vehicle-owning residents in the new zone will receive a 90% discount on the fee - sparking a fear of more congestion in central London. | About 55,000 vehicle-owning residents in the new zone will receive a 90% discount on the fee - sparking a fear of more congestion in central London. |
| The daily time frame for the entire congestion charge area also changes with an end 30 minutes earlier at 1800. | The daily time frame for the entire congestion charge area also changes with an end 30 minutes earlier at 1800. |
| On Saturday, hundreds of drivers opposed to the expansion took part in a protest organised by the West London Residents Association. | On Saturday, hundreds of drivers opposed to the expansion took part in a protest organised by the West London Residents Association. |
| They believe the charge will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. | They believe the charge will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. |
| According to TfL, traffic in the original central congestion charge zone has fallen 20% since the scheme began in 2003. | According to TfL, traffic in the original central congestion charge zone has fallen 20% since the scheme began in 2003. |
| It also says the toll has helped fight pollution, reduce road injuries, increased the number of cyclists and caused more people to turn to public transport. | It also says the toll has helped fight pollution, reduce road injuries, increased the number of cyclists and caused more people to turn to public transport. |
| Click to see new congestion charge area | Click to see new congestion charge area |
| TfL's director of congestion charging Malcolm Murray-Clark said: "London still has significant congestion problems. | TfL's director of congestion charging Malcolm Murray-Clark said: "London still has significant congestion problems. |
| "Surveys indicate that of all areas adjacent to the [central] zone, congestion is most intense in the west where there are severe delays throughout the working day. | "Surveys indicate that of all areas adjacent to the [central] zone, congestion is most intense in the west where there are severe delays throughout the working day. |
| "We estimate traffic levels in the western area will be reduced by 10 to 15% when the zone goes live, reducing congestion in the zone by at least 15%." | "We estimate traffic levels in the western area will be reduced by 10 to 15% when the zone goes live, reducing congestion in the zone by at least 15%." |
| But Angie Bray, of the London Assembly Conservatives, said: "Fewer cars are using the roads yet congestion increases. | But Angie Bray, of the London Assembly Conservatives, said: "Fewer cars are using the roads yet congestion increases. |
| This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners Nationals Alliance Against Tolls | This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners Nationals Alliance Against Tolls |
| "The reasons are poor planning and use of road space. Bus and cycle lanes in conjunction with re-phased traffic lights are making London travel slower." | "The reasons are poor planning and use of road space. Bus and cycle lanes in conjunction with re-phased traffic lights are making London travel slower." |
| Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the AA, said the rush hour had been generally quiet across the newly-extended zone. | |
| "The free route has been very busy, as expected," he said. | |
| "It is half-term in many parts of the home counties and that will have a reducing effect. | |
| "In addition a lot of people are nervous of using the system, as happened when it was first brought in. | |
| "I think it won't hit home for another couple of weeks." | |
| The city's transport watchdog, London Travelwatch, has supported the congestion charge and the expansion. | The city's transport watchdog, London Travelwatch, has supported the congestion charge and the expansion. |
| But chairman Brian Cooke said a two-zone system would have been better than having one large congestion charge area. | But chairman Brian Cooke said a two-zone system would have been better than having one large congestion charge area. |
| He said: "The inclusion of more residents in the discount scheme will mean increased congestion in the existing zone, thereby lessening the benefits seen over the last few years from the congestion charge." | He said: "The inclusion of more residents in the discount scheme will mean increased congestion in the existing zone, thereby lessening the benefits seen over the last few years from the congestion charge." |
| HAVE YOUR SAY You cannot have such taxes until there is a viable alternative to travel by car Paul, Taunton Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY You cannot have such taxes until there is a viable alternative to travel by car Paul, Taunton Send us your comments |
| Darren Johnson, leader of the London Assembly's Green Party, said: "The westward extension of the congestion charge will mean more people enjoy the benefit of safer, less polluted streets and more efficient bus services." | Darren Johnson, leader of the London Assembly's Green Party, said: "The westward extension of the congestion charge will mean more people enjoy the benefit of safer, less polluted streets and more efficient bus services." |
| A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners. It will increase congestion everywhere else including the existing zone." | A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners. It will increase congestion everywhere else including the existing zone." |
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