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London’s 15% Congestion Charge price hike is “unjustified”

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Author: | Updated: 29 May 2014 16:12

The cost to drive a car in London’s Congestion Charge zone will increase by £1.50 a day from June 16.

This means motorists will be charged £11.50 if they pay in advance or by midnight of the same day.

CC Auto Pay and fleet customers will continue to receive a £1 reduction, paying £10.50 per day, while those who don’t pay until the next charging day will have to cough up £14 instead of the current £12.

Fleets will now be charged £10.50 a day for their company car drivers to enter London's Congestion Charge zone

Garrett Emmerson, Transport for London’s chief operating officer for surface transport, said the price hike is designed to improve customer service.

“These changes will ensure the Congestion Charge remains effective in managing congestion in central London,” he explained.

“We have listened to our customers and are making a number of changes to make paying the Congestion Charge and applying for discounts easier and simpler.”

‘No choice’

Gerry Keaney, chief executive for the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association, disagreed, branding the 15% increase as “unjustified” and “a tax rise on essential business users who have no choice but to drive in central London”.

He added: “We are disappointed that Transport for London has ignored our calls to reverse this decision, and will continue to fight this battle on behalf of our members and their customers, who operate the cleanest, safest vehicles on UK roads.”

Natalie Chapman, the Freight Transport Association's Head of Policy for LondonNatalie Chapman [pictured], the Freight Transport Association's Head of Policy for London, believes commercial vehicles should be exempt from the C-Charge.

“[They are] making essential deliveries, such as keeping the capital's shelves stocked and supplying London's hospitals,” she commented. “Not only are they forced to pay to use the road network in Central London, they have now been unfairly clobbered with a bigger rise than casual users of the scheme.”

The FTA argues there are no practical alternative modes for the kind of door-to-door deliveries that central London demands, and calls for charge-free breaks outside of rush hour.

Chapman added: “The logistics industry helped TfL to deliver a successful Olympics and a big part of the Games legacy for our industry has been a greater recognition of the essential role we play in keeping London fed and watered.

“So we are particularly disappointed that we face such a steep rise in the cost of supporting London's economy.”

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