AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Concern is mounting over a Cambridge congestion charge

20th September 2007
Page 19
Page 19, 20th September 2007 — Concern is mounting over a Cambridge congestion charge
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Operators and firms have met the local authority to air their views about plans for a congestion charge in Cambridge. Chris Tindall reports.

CONFUSION OVER plans for a congestion charge in Cambridge has brought councillors, businesses and operators together to air their opinions on the matter.

Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) is bidding for £500m of government funding to help ease congestion in the city and its plans could include a Monday-to-Friday congestion charge of 13-£5 (CM 21 August, 'Congestion charge plans for Cambridge").

CCC leader Shona Johnstone has previously said such a move would be effective in tackling congestion, but insists a decision has not yet been made. Growing concern among businesses and operators over the effects of such a charge on the local economy prompted the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses to organise the debate.

Chamber chairman Professor Walter Herriot says: "There is confusion about what's being proposed or not being proposed what stage we are actually at and indeed,why it would work and why it's important to bring it in."

Johnstone says:We are going to submit a business case to government, but it does not commit us to introducing a congestion charge."

Asked if LG V operators would be forced to pay, Johnstone says: "We are being lobbied left, right and centre from people who think they should qualify for a discount, We will look at all of those groups. If you don't have a charge, some of those delivery drivers and vehicles would be stuck in congestion and could spend k"5 just getting through the traffic." But she admits congestion in the city is not of hauliers' own making: "Planning proposals of the '60s, '70s, and '80s have landed them in this problem."


comments powered by Disqus