News from London Assembly Labour

Labour urge London congestion charge re-think

Val Shawcross, Labour’s London Assembly transport spokesperson, is urging Boris Johnson to think again over his public consultation on the future of the western extension of London’s congestion charge.

Speaking as the Mayor launched a five-week public consultation on the issue, Val Shawcross who is the chair of the London Assembly’s transport committee said:

“The congestion charge is now much more than just a means to speed up central London traffic; it is a vital, forward-thinking weapon in the fight against climate change.

“The Mayor should carefully consider the environmental impact of the western extension – not just in west London but across the city. Pollution and CO2 emissions don’t recognise postcodes and we all breathe the same air. He should be consulting everyone effected by the future of the charge.”

The western congestion charge extension brought £8-a-day road toll scheme to most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London. Boris Johnson said that if he won the London mayoral election the western congestion charge zone – introduced in February 2007 – would be scrapped.

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