The western extension of the London congestion charge area will be scrapped soon but the daily charge for the remaining area is set to rise to 10 pounds, it was announced today
BY THE TELEGRAPH | MAY 24, 2010
London Mayor Boris Johnson announced consultation on the proposed changes today, saying that if the plans were approved the last charging day for the western extension would be Christmas Eve this year.
The charging zone would then revert, from January 4 2011, to substantially the same area that existed before the western extension was introduced in February 2007. From January 4, the daily charge will go up from £8 to £10 and from £10 to £12 if paid the next charging day.
It is also proposed that an auto pay scheme is set up to make paying the congestion charge easier and more convenient. To register customers would need a credit or debit card and to pay a £10 registration charge for each vehicle on the account.
Auto pay would ensure that no penalty charge notices would be issued to any registered vehicles, meaning drivers would no longer be penalised for forgetting to pay the charge. Auto pay customers would also be eligible for a daily charge of £9.
Mr Johnson said: ''West London never wanted the western extension and it is right that residents there can now tell us whether this Christmas should see the end of it.
''The central zone still plays a useful role but it has to be administered more fairly and straightforwardly, which is why I'm delighted the proposals include changes that should mean no one need ever be fined again.''
The congestion charge was introduced in February 2003, with drivers initially paying £5 a day.
AA president Edmund King said today: ''The mayor is right to propose removing the western extension as the majority of residents and businesses were originally opposed to it.
''However, many Londoners may well question whether increasing the congestion charge to £10 represents value for money. This would mean that the congestion charge has doubled in just seven years while congestion has got worse.''
