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RNA says extending
Page 8
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charge is "unjust" WI by Dominic Perry
Plans to expand the London congestion charging zone have provoked fears that eventually the payment area could stretch as far as Heathrow airport, costing UK firms millions.
At present Transport for London (TfL). which administers the scheme, is conducting a feasibility study looking at extending it to the west of the current zone to Incorporate the boroughs of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster. Although TfL stresses that no decision will be made on imple
menting this until after the mayoral elections next year, the trade associations view this as the thin end of the wedge.
Roger King, chief executive at the Road Haulage Association, says that extending the zone outside of central London brings major arterial routes within Its scope for the first time.
tie adds; "We take the view that it's unacceptable to be seeking additional revenue from the users of the A-road system, notwithstanding that we consider the charge levied on commercial vehicles as unjust anyway. Our taxes have already paid for the use of these arterial roads—and it's not right for Tit or any other local authority to slap a charge on that."
Sue Moody, regional director London and South-East for the FM, says she is worried by the move: "I think the next one will be out towards Heathrow; that's a major cause for concern because of the volume of freight going Into the airport. Unless they are prepared to exempt commercial vehicles from the charge we will be an easy target."
Moody also attacks the London Sustainable Distribution Partnership, the body meant to smooth out the problems between the industry and local government in the capital. Currently its review of the London Lorry Ban Is stalled and other issues are also not being resolved, she says. It is in danger of turning into a talking shop," she adds. "We were founder members and great supporters of [the LSDP], but it has to start addressing problems on the ground."
The latest firm to fall foul of the congestion charging system's inconsistencies is Stirlingshlre firm James Sinith of Denny. The 20-truck operator has been hit with an 180 penalty after one of its vehicles inadvertently strayed into the charging zone.
It Is currently delivering to a construction site at Paddington Basin, just outside the charging area. However, unknown to the driver, to gain access to the site from the A4, trucks are forced to go into the zone and turn around before leaving it again. Boss
Russell Smith explains: "Our driver realised that he'd have to go in, and asked where he could stop to buy a ticket, but there's nowhere In that area you can stop a 44-tonne artic.
"He decided that he'd deal with It when he was back up the road, but when I tried to sort the matter out over the phone I was told it was too late as we already had an IN penalty. I asked the guy If he knew where on Marylebone Road we could stop and buy a ticket, and he couldn't tell me."