Wednesday 2nd July 2008

Western C-Charge Could Be Axed

London Mayor planning a rethink on London congestion charging

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The unpopular western extension of London’s congestion charging zone could be axed under new plans by Mayor Boris Johnson. The £123million scheme was introduced despite mass public opposition last year but now Johnson plans to launch a public consultation.

The Mayor also ruled out extending the charge into the capital’s suburbs and admitted the controversial extension could be dropped just 18 months after it was introduced. Johnson has signalled that he doesn’t believe congestion tolls are the solution and wants to find other ways to encourage people to walk or cycle.

The extended zone covers Kensington and Chelsea and the consultation will be open to residents, businesses and stakeholders across the capital. Johnson accused his predecessor Ken Livingstone of not listening to people’s concerns when he introduced the extension in February last year.

‘I am not going to be having any more congestion charges,’ he said. ‘What I am determined to make happen is a modal shift towards bicycling and walking, not just in inner London but also in outer London.’

The western extension, which cost £96m to implement, could be removed by the end of next year, reducing the charging zone to a central area stretching from Buckingham Palace to Tower Bridge.

[tegwin]

Politician....common sence....... ITS A MIRICLE!

[911motorsport]

SEE! Things CAN be changed! Next.

[Fire99]

I know he's a pretty unusual bloke and we love to be cynical about politicians but i think credit where credit is due and thats a good move!

[OperationAlfa]

I love Boris. This is the exact reason I voted for him.

[V8S]

OperationAlfa said:

I love Boris. This is the exact reason I voted for him.

Surely you should vote on his policies, not because you want to lick his lollipop.

;)

[Skipppy]

Wow a politician who actually ENGAGES THE PUBLIC before deciding what to do. There's a novel idea.

[OperationAlfa]

V8S said:

OperationAlfa said:

I love Boris. This is the exact reason I voted for him.

Surely you should vote on his policies, not because you want to lick his lollipop.

;)

[haggle]

Skipppy said:

Wow a politician who actually ENGAGES THE PUBLIC before deciding what to do. There's a novel idea.

pinches himself to make sure hes awake ......... crikey

[Roy C]

Good old Boris!

[waynepixel]

Sound like a good idea to me, never thought I would say that about a new political idea for the London C-Charge.

[Twincam16]

I was going to say I hoped it would be an end to the old 'where London leads, the rest of the country follows' scenario but it seems, now Londoners have chased them out, Labour have set their sights on Manchester

[simonrockman]

Skipppy said:

Wow a politician who actually ENGAGES THE PUBLIC before deciding what to do. There's a novel idea.

Oh Ken did that. He had a consultation, and then decided what he wanted to do: exactly what he wanted and ignored the consultation.

This is A Good Thing, because in part it cost him the election.

One of the simpler ideas Boris put forward was allowing motorbikes in bus lanes. I'd like to see that ASAP. I don't ride a bike, but anything that can get those fragile things out of my blind spot has to be a good idea.

Simon

[m4tthew]

Politicain in taken onboard what the public wants, shocker!

I also heard a female MP talking about the proposed hike in VED for cars going back to 2001, she said it was a bad idea as it would affect a massive amount of people who are already struggling with rising costs in just about every other aspect of life. I nearly fainted at the wheel on hearing some sense.

[Horse_Apple]

Skipppy said:

Wow a politician who actually ENGAGES THE PUBLIC before deciding what to do. There's a novel idea.

True. But when you consider that the client base of you average high street bookmaker is a very good cross section of the general public and 90% of those clients are morons, you do have to be wary of listening to us public too much.

I think that the recent hikes in fuel costs are starting to have a strong impact on how much people drive, the way they drive and what they drive. As such I do honestly expect fuel duty to go through the roof if or rather when the core cost of fuel begins to temper.

At least as a tax it does contain a pretty large 'opt out' ability for most of us, much like taxes on ciggies and booze.

[chris_crossley]

More bike lanes, without damaging the current roads. A major boost in good quality public transport.
It's a UK solution, not just london. Stop spending road tax/petrol profits on rubbish and invest in infastructure. It's what would make all our lives so much better. We still depend on cars and allways will. So fix the roads while your at it and stop taxing the hell out of the motorist.

I would like to see how he puts talk into action.
Then i'll vote for him over Gordon Brown as PM.

[Titan Simba]

Politician's common sense - what a paradox!

[Collaudatore]

Article said:

solution and wants to find other ways to encourage people to walk or cycle.

What's that? Encouraging people to cycle rather than discouraging us from driving?
Is this the carrot approach?
About bloody time.


EDIT: why is it that in the public eye Boris is seen as somewhat of a blithering idiot, yet he seems to be the politician which has shown the most common sense in a matter of, what? a month / two months?

Edited by Collaudatore on Wednesday 2nd July 12:53

[durbster]

Does anyone else hear Boris when reading his quotes?

I couldn't give a monkey's about London myself, but it's nice to see such a rare bit of sense from our glorious leaders.

[RJE1966]

Collaudatore said:

Article said:

solution and wants to find other ways to encourage people to walk or cycle.

What's that? Encouraging people to cycle rather than discouraging us from driving?
Is this the carrot approach?
About bloody time.


EDIT: why is it that in the public eye Boris is seen as somewhat of a blithering idiot, yet he seems to be the politician which has shown the most common sense in a matter of, what? a month / two months?

Edited by Collaudatore on Wednesday 2nd July 12:53

Probably because he's the only politician to show his true self....and the reality is that just 'cause you can have a laugh doesn't mean you can't also have great ideas and implement them. The problem is, that the public in general want any figure of authority to appear as a dour and miserable git, and then act suprised when they are actually useless and self serving....they also assume that characters like Boris can't even manage to wipe thier own arses....WRONG!

Relaxed and silly does not always equal a toss pot who can't do a good job.

(Though I'm sure I'll be innundated with examples )

[big_rob_sydney]

Give the people what they want!

Well done Boris.

I cant for the life of me understand why other politicians dont get this.