Call for congestion fees
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al Without "tough action" congestion is set to rise in central London by 34% in 10 years—and much of it in the next five, warns Professor David Begg of the Commission for Integrated Transport. Speaking at the Integrated Transport Solutions for London seminar last week, Begg urged the candidates for London Mayor to "bite the bullet and bring in congestion charging in central areas". He said: "We don't need to wait for the long-term investment in London's infrastructure or for a technology-based congestion charging system to deliver the improvements everyone is crying out for"
In a move which would prove unpopular with hauliers. Begg added: "It's about trying to convince people that the gain is worth the pain. Congestion is one of the main costs to businesses... just imagine the type of gridlock we'll see in the future if we don't act now."
Of the four mayoral candidates, only Ken Livingstone has committed himself to delivering road charging within 15 months of taking office, starting with a paper-based system and daily charges of £10 for "mediumsized" trucks and £15 for HCVs. Susan Kramer also has plans for congestion tolls but says she would wait 30 months for "visible improvements to public transport". Frank Dobson supports the idea in principle" but would wait for a "workable electronic system". And Steven Norris dismisses Livingstone's plans for congestion charging as all pay and no gain".