Boris Johnson is considering scrapping London’s entire congestion zone to boost the capital’s economy, it has been reported. The Mayor has already pledged to remove the unpopular western extension and has now promised to look at the viability of the whole scheme.
Johnson was asked at Mayor’s Question Time about the charge and he said he would ‘brood’ on the issue until he was convinced it would not have an adverse effect on congestion.
Tory Assembly member Victoria Borwick said: ‘You have listened to Londoners once, will you listen to them again.’ Mr Johnson also said he would look at extending the congestion charge-free period for an extra week before Christmas to encourage shopping. He also wanted to put pressure on local boroughs to introduce free parking.
He said: ‘We will certainly look into it. It's a very good idea. There will be a free period from 25 December to 1 January. We are looking at other ways of encouraging people to come and buy things. As for the congestion charge, let me brood on it. Let me think about that.
'I'm almost tempted to ask for a show of hands. There is a problem with congestion in this city and people twisting their steering wheels into pretzels. Before we did anything I would have to be assured congestion would not be affected.'