hkskyline
February 17th, 2006, 04:32 PM
London traffic levy to expand, despite protests
By Matthew Jones
LONDON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Plans to expand London's road-pricing scheme are to go ahead, despite the wide-ranging opposition generated by the congestion charge in its three years of operation.
Operating body, Transport for London (TfL), plans to extend the charging area Westwards and aims to have it operating in a year's time.
"The timetable is for a February 2007 live-date," a TfL spokesman said.
Wide-ranging consultation has revealed that 65 percent of people affected by the plan oppose enlargement, but the spokesman noted that public reaction to the initial zone in the capital's centre had also been negative.
The system, which aims to shorten journey times by thinning out traffic, works via a network of cameras throughout the charging zone which read number plates during working weekdays and check payment against a database.
If a vehicle is not recorded as having paid the 8.50 pounds daily charge a 100 pound fine is issued to the registered owner.
"After it (the zone) was introduced, support increased and we anticipate a similar scenario with the western zone expansion," the TfL spokesman he said.
When the central London zone was activated in 2003, the target was to reduce congestion by 10-15 percent and improve public transport provision thanks to ticket sales and fines.
Supporters of the zone say it has delivered on its promises and brought extra benefits like reduced pollution levels, but opponents argue it has hit businesses hard and led to more traffic congestion just outside the charging area.
However, TfL said over 400 extra buses have been introduced as a result of congestion charging, with a 39 percent rise in passenger bus trips seen in 2003-2004.
Transport 2000, an independent think-tank concerned with sustainable transport, is enthusiastic about the current zone and the planned extension.
"It has been a resounding success," said the body's Richard Bourn. "It has reduced congestion by 30 percent and traffic levels by about 16 percent."
He said bus services have improved thanks to extra vehicles and better time-keeping.
"There is not the space for all the cars and this demand has to be managed," said Bourn, who added the natural conclusion of congestion charging will be for the whole city, and eventually all of Britain to be subject to road pricing in some form.
Critics remain resolutely opposed.
London's Chamber of Commerce and Industry says a survey revealed more than a third of company bosses in the planned western zone said they expected to lay off staff as a result of the extension and over 82 percent thought it would have a negative impact on their businesses.
At the Freight Transport Association, the argument against the zone is more fundamental. The association says the charge has cost its operators about 40 million pounds a year, but offers no alternative -- goods, it notes, cannot migrate onto public transport.
By Matthew Jones
LONDON, Feb 17 (Reuters) - Plans to expand London's road-pricing scheme are to go ahead, despite the wide-ranging opposition generated by the congestion charge in its three years of operation.
Operating body, Transport for London (TfL), plans to extend the charging area Westwards and aims to have it operating in a year's time.
"The timetable is for a February 2007 live-date," a TfL spokesman said.
Wide-ranging consultation has revealed that 65 percent of people affected by the plan oppose enlargement, but the spokesman noted that public reaction to the initial zone in the capital's centre had also been negative.
The system, which aims to shorten journey times by thinning out traffic, works via a network of cameras throughout the charging zone which read number plates during working weekdays and check payment against a database.
If a vehicle is not recorded as having paid the 8.50 pounds daily charge a 100 pound fine is issued to the registered owner.
"After it (the zone) was introduced, support increased and we anticipate a similar scenario with the western zone expansion," the TfL spokesman he said.
When the central London zone was activated in 2003, the target was to reduce congestion by 10-15 percent and improve public transport provision thanks to ticket sales and fines.
Supporters of the zone say it has delivered on its promises and brought extra benefits like reduced pollution levels, but opponents argue it has hit businesses hard and led to more traffic congestion just outside the charging area.
However, TfL said over 400 extra buses have been introduced as a result of congestion charging, with a 39 percent rise in passenger bus trips seen in 2003-2004.
Transport 2000, an independent think-tank concerned with sustainable transport, is enthusiastic about the current zone and the planned extension.
"It has been a resounding success," said the body's Richard Bourn. "It has reduced congestion by 30 percent and traffic levels by about 16 percent."
He said bus services have improved thanks to extra vehicles and better time-keeping.
"There is not the space for all the cars and this demand has to be managed," said Bourn, who added the natural conclusion of congestion charging will be for the whole city, and eventually all of Britain to be subject to road pricing in some form.
Critics remain resolutely opposed.
London's Chamber of Commerce and Industry says a survey revealed more than a third of company bosses in the planned western zone said they expected to lay off staff as a result of the extension and over 82 percent thought it would have a negative impact on their businesses.
At the Freight Transport Association, the argument against the zone is more fundamental. The association says the charge has cost its operators about 40 million pounds a year, but offers no alternative -- goods, it notes, cannot migrate onto public transport.