Congestion charging: For and against

12 April 2012
FOR CONGESTION CHARGING

? Traffic should be able to move more freely, with more bus services keeping better time. Traffic speeds are expected to increase by 16 per cent in central London.

? Fewer vehicles should mean less pollution and fumes.

? Business groups believe that there will be benefits to businesses within the zone.

? Congestion charging has worked in Oslo and Singapore.

? The scheme will create an estimated £130 million annually which the Mayor has promised to spend on improving London's infrastructure.

AGAINST CONGESTION CHARGING

? There is no reliable evidence to suggest many vehicles will be deterred in the long term by the £5 charge.

? Improvements in central London air quality will be offset by more vehicles pumping out fumes around the perimeter.

? Retailers fear customers will shop outside central London.

? London is much bigger than Oslo and Singapore - with a highly complex ancient street network.

? Charging will be costly to introduce and reliant on unsophisticated technology that remains unproven.

Schemes two-year struggle

28 July 2000:

? 12 Sept 2000: GLA warns scheme may be vulnerable to legal challenge.

? 20 Oct 2000: GLA brands scheme "gravely flawed".

? 27 Oct 2000: Mayor offers concession prices and puts start date back to 2003.

? 3 Jan 2001: Kensington and Chelsea, Wandsworth and Westminster set up "war chest" to fight charge.

? 23 Jan 2001: AA says Mayor will cut road maintenance by £10million to fund scheme.

£10 April 2001: TfL plans revealed to spend £20 million promoting charge.

? 25 April 2001: 51 per cent of Londoners back detailed plans, poll says.

? 26 February 2002: Mayor gives official go-ahead.

? 8 May 2002: Westminster council asks High Court for Judicial Review.

? 15 July 2002: High Court battle starts, with call for public inquiry.

? 31 July 2002: Mayor scores legal victory.

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