Report: Congestion charge keeping traffic levels down
Date: 25 July 2007
Congestion charging in London is continuing to keep traffic levels down and has cut snarl-ups in the western extension by up to a quarter, according to a government report.
The scheme has many critics in the courier and haulage industries, but the Fifth Annual Impacts Monitoring Report does suggest that, in logistical terms, it is easier for couriers to get around the capital.
Congestion charging was first introduced in February 2003 and the report says it "contributed directly" to the Mayor's priorities, which included reducing congestion and making the distribution of goods and services more efficient.
Before the charge came into effect, around 334,000 vehicles entered the original zone each day, but by last year this figure had dropped by about 70,000.
As for the western extension to the zone, congestion has been cut by between 20 and 25 per cent against comparable figures in 2005 and 2006.
Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "Congestion charging has meant that the number of cars entering the central area has been cut by some 70,000 vehicles a day. Put simply it has prevented London from grinding to a halt."
Many couriers and haulage firms have been adversely affected by the daily charge, however.
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