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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| London congestion charge rises to £11.50 a day | London congestion charge rises to £11.50 a day |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Motorists will have to pay £11.50 a day to drive into central London from next month as Transport for London (TfL) raises the congestion charge. | Motorists will have to pay £11.50 a day to drive into central London from next month as Transport for London (TfL) raises the congestion charge. |
| The increase from £10, the first since 2011, will come into effect from 16 June. | The increase from £10, the first since 2011, will come into effect from 16 June. |
| Auto pay system and fleet customers will continue to have a £1 discount making their daily rate £10.50. | Auto pay system and fleet customers will continue to have a £1 discount making their daily rate £10.50. |
| The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said the rise will hit smallest firms the hardest. | The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said the rise will hit smallest firms the hardest. |
| More than £1.2bn in revenue raised through the charge has been reinvested in the capital's transport infrastructure since the levy was introduced in 2003, TfL said. | More than £1.2bn in revenue raised through the charge has been reinvested in the capital's transport infrastructure since the levy was introduced in 2003, TfL said. |
| 'Worsening congestion' | 'Worsening congestion' |
| The daily charge, which comes into effect from 07:00 BST, was £5 when it was introduced in February 2003. | The daily charge, which comes into effect from 07:00 BST, was £5 when it was introduced in February 2003. |
| Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "These changes will ensure the congestion charge remains effective in managing congestion in central London." | Garrett Emmerson, TfL's chief operating officer for surface transport, said: "These changes will ensure the congestion charge remains effective in managing congestion in central London." |
| TfL promised to introduce several facilities for customers, including direct debit payments for auto pay customers, online discount applications, and easier reimbursement for NHS patients and staff. | TfL promised to introduce several facilities for customers, including direct debit payments for auto pay customers, online discount applications, and easier reimbursement for NHS patients and staff. |
| The FSB said a survey done by them showed 66% of its members opposed the rise and added it was time for a "root and branch reform". | The FSB said a survey done by them showed 66% of its members opposed the rise and added it was time for a "root and branch reform". |
| Sue Terpilowski, the group's London Policy Chairman, said: "Congestion has risen back to pre-2003 levels and it is clear that the scheme is not fit for purpose. | Sue Terpilowski, the group's London Policy Chairman, said: "Congestion has risen back to pre-2003 levels and it is clear that the scheme is not fit for purpose. |
| "Londoners deserve a grown up debate about the merits of the current scheme in operation which is why an 15% increase is a regressive step." | |
| But David Leam, head of infrastructure at business group London First, has backed the increase saying "it needs to rise to manage worsening congestion". | But David Leam, head of infrastructure at business group London First, has backed the increase saying "it needs to rise to manage worsening congestion". |