It seems that a much more measured policy towards transport in London is likely with the election of new Mayor, Boris Johnson.
Mr Johnson has already stated that one of his first changes will be to begin consultation with the residents in the area which forms part of the “westward extension” of the congestion zone.
Quite simply, Boris is saying “If a majority ask for the westward extension to be placed back outside of the zone, he said he will respect their wishes”. How refreshing is that.
Mayor Johnson has also said he intends to scrap the changes in Congestion Charge, due to come into effect in October 2008
This means that cars in Vehicle Excise Duty bands A and B will not become exempt from the charge as planned and this must act as a lesson to some fleet operators not to commit to certain types of vehicles on the basis of what “might happen” but instead, wait until it does happen
Another major change was to have been the upping of the charge which would have seen higher emitting vehicles which produce over 225g/km of CO2 paying a huge £25 a day and that proposal is being dumped also. Porsche were a leading opponent of this move and had in fact already begun legal proceedings against Mr Livingstone to get him to drop the plans.
Under Mr Johnson, only zero emitting vehicles, along with some other types of vehicles such as those using alternative fuels, public service vehicles and recovery vehicles, will be exempt from the congestion charge.
Mayor Johnson has already announced that qualifying residents’ vehicles will also be eligible for a 90% discount.
Anything the size of the Congestion Zone is going to be difficult to implement and even more difficult to appear fair to all with so many anomalies, such as reports that foreign drivers who its claimed have run up congestion charge bills of over £750,000 in the last year have left the country without paying, (as there is no system in place at any ports to prevent them) all contribute to making Londoners feel that they are getting the short straw.
There are also further claims that many foreign embassies are refusing to pay the charge also and are clocking up £20,000 a day in unpaid fines.
The record turn out by London voters was an indication of how strongly people feel that there needed to be changes and it seems many will be pleased with these early announcements by the “blonde Bombshell”
That said, these actions are just a start as Mayor Boris has said he still has plans to reform the congestion charges in the future.
Watch this space.
