• by David Crahr Hauliers travelling into the centre of
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
London will not be exempt from congestion charges. From January 2003 every CV will be forced to pay £5a day as part of a new strategy designed to reduce the capital's congestion. The decision follows months of consultation with the industry.
That's £10 a day less than the fee initially proposed by Mayor Ken Livingstone, but the Freight Transport Association is still describing the charge as "extremely disappointing".
FTA London Policy Adviser Sue Moody says this scheme is "the last thing hauliers need." Motorists will also pay £5 a day—but PSVs, taxis and motorcycles are all exempt. The charging zone will be the area inside London's inner ring road; the fee will apply between 07:0019:00hrs. Hauliers can pay daily, weekly, monthly or annually. The scheme will be enforced by digital cameras, which will read vehicle registration marks.
"We will continue fighting for hauliers to be made exempt from this charge in London and nationwide if other councils seek to adopt it," says Moody.
The FTA hopes the results of a study by its members and Imperial College will refute Livingstone's claim that charging will reduce congestion by 15%.
The congestion charges are part of the Mayor's Transport Strategy for London. This also includes the creation of a London Sustainable Distribution Partnership which will review the London Lorry Ban, the loading and unloading needs of trucks in the capital, the provision of overnight parking and the creation of non-car lanes.