London Region

SCRAP THE EXTORTION ZONE

The ABD recommends you vote for Option 2 (to Remove the Western Extension of the London Congestion Zone). Our reasons are simple:

• It has not resulted in any reduction in traffic congestion.
• It has not provided any environmental benefits whatsoever.

Despite forecasts by the previous Mayor of substantial reductions in traffic congestion, these have simply not arisen with congestion remaining much as it was. In addition the revenue it raises to subsidise public transport is very small (75% of the fees paid get consumed by operation of the scheme). Neither has measured air quality improved while many businesses have been damaged by the scheme.  Now we have a consultation document issued by Transport for London which is grossly misleading (see our press release at Press026 for details).  Do not be fooled by their half truths and evasions.  The scheme has clearly not met its specified objectives so VOTE TO REMOVE THE WESTERN EXTENSION!

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This page contains details of our campaign to scrap the Western Extension of the London Congestion Charge (or "Tax" as it should be called). The latest news is at the bottom of this page.

The Western Extension of the London Congestion Charge Zone was introduced in February 2007 despite overwhelming public opposition in the previous public consultation exercise (go to this page for more details of those objections: Objections). Below is a map (source: TfL) that shows the current extent of the Congestion Charge Zone and the area to the west of the intersecting "free passageway" via Park Lane is the Western Extension.

In July 2008, recently elected Mayor Boris Johnson announced that there was to be a fresh consultation on the Western Extension of the London Congestion Charge. This was a promise in his Mayoral election manifesto. This is what he said in a press release issued at that time (full details can be seen at: www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=17573 ):  

“The previous Mayor made the decision to introduce the western extension in the face of overwhelming opposition. Unlike my predecessor, I am going into this with an open mind and this will be a genuine consultation. It is high time that politicians listened to the people whom they represent and I am proud to keep the pledge made during my election campaign to hold a further consultation. Londoners can be assured that, whether they stand for or against, this time their opinions will be respected and we will abide by the results.

The western extension is a massive issue for those that live and work in the west of our city and the consultation is likely to elicit strong views. This is not a referendum, so it won't be limited to a 'do you or don't you want to keep it?’

Yes, there will be the option to scrap it, but there will also be other options including keeping it and changing certain aspects of it, like whether it should operate all day. But this will be an opportunity for everyone with experience of the extension to tell me whether they want to see it removed, improved or if they are simply unmoved.”

The following press release was issued by the ABD following the publication of the Sixth Annual Monitoring Report on the London Congestion Charge by TfL: Press025 - the TfL report gives some details on how ineffective the Western Extension has been on reducing traffic congestion. For a more detailed analysis, read this note: Congestion_Charge_Report_2008

On the 1st September 2008 the consultation was launched (see the press release issued by the Mayor at: http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=18616 ). The ABD issued this press release explaining why the consultation document is grossly misleading and advising people how to vote: Press026 . Our full response to the consultation is given in this document: Westcon_Consultation

Note that the ABD is co-operating with the West London Residents Association who have been the most active organisers of opposition to the Western Extension for several years. A summary of their Chairman's recent comments on the current status of the scheme are given in this file: WLRA_Report

Contact roger.lawson@abd.org.uk or telephone 020-8467-2686 if you wish to support scrapping the Congestion Charge Western Extension and go on a mailing list for future news. We also have a Facebook site on this subject.

Note: the Public Consultation on this matter closed on the 5th October and we are currently awaiting a report on the results.

How to Vote Against (and save £8 per day) - click here.

For a leaflet that you can print out and hand around, or use as a poster to put in your window, click here: Leaflet (monochome version: LeafletG)

For information on our previous campaign in Greenwich against congestion charging go here: Greenwich