The London congestion charge was initiated in February 2003 as a means of reducing traffic pollution and raising revenue for TfL (Transport for London). The area included in the ‘charge zone’ was expanded from central London to parts of West London in February 2007.
Currently, drivers entering and travelling in the charge zone between 0700 and 1800 are required to pay an £8 fee on each day of travel Monday to Friday. London Mayor Boris Johnson recently announced plans for raising the charge for each driver from £8 to £10 per day. This applies if the fee is paid in advance or on the day. If paid the day after travel, the charge will increase to £12.
To make it a little easier, drivers can register for an automated payment account. For an annual charge of £10, the daily rate would be only £9 and the system would record the number of days travelled each month and bill the driver accordingly. Residents in the charge zone would also be eligible for the reduced rate in addition to the 90% residents’ discount.
The new proposal also calls for reducing the charge zone to almost its original area, removing West London from its parameters. The mayor said that residents of West London didn’t want the charge in the first place, and the proposal is partly in response to their objections.
Interested parties are urged to express their opinions before August 2010, when the proposals are set to be finalized.
