Monday 1st September 2008

C-Charge Consultation Starts Today

Londoners to decide if western extension should be scrapped

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A public consultation on the future of the western extension of the congestion charge has started today. Mayor Boris Johnson has promised to gather opinions on the zone and could scrap it altogether if it is unpopular.

Johnson, said: 'Whenever I head to the west of our city I meet people with strong opinions on the Western Extension. But when my predecessor held a consultation on this important issue he completely ignored its results. Unlike him I have the utmost respect for the opinions of Londoners and I hope that thousands of them will take part in the consultation.'

The extension was put in place by former London mayor Ken Livingstone and takes in Chelsea and Kensington. The consultation will be conducted as a leaflet containing a questionnaire.

Londoners will be given a list of options and asked whether the extension is worthwhile. There will also be an additional survey conducted across London which will further measure reaction to the scheme.

[CypherP]

Hmmm.. i wonder what percentage the 'YES' vote will be...

I'm pleased to hear that Boris has the right idea though. Not very often a politician will actually listen and take the public's opinions into consideration. I say Boris for PM

[Snoggledog]

CypherP said:

Hmmm.. i wonder what percentage the 'YES' vote will be...

I'm pleased to hear that Boris has the right idea though. Not very often a politician will actually listen and take the public's opinions into consideration. I say Boris for PM

He says he'll listen but will he actually follow public opinion?

[havoc]

Snoggledog said:

CypherP said:

Hmmm.. i wonder what percentage the 'YES' vote will be...

I'm pleased to hear that Boris has the right idea though. Not very often a politician will actually listen and take the public's opinions into consideration. I say Boris for PM

He says he'll listen but will he actually follow public opinion?

If he doesn't the press and his opponents will crucify him. He's built his image on honesty...

[Double R]

Considering that the £25 uber charge has been scrapped, I would say yes, Boris will listen.

[Tifosi]

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncha...

[bradmitchell]

i think its plain to see that if you dont listen and carry on regardless, you will be voted out pronto. Boris isnt as arrogant as Ken, and i think he will get it right.

[toxgobbler]

I think they should extend it, it's made the CC zone much nicer as both a pedestrian and as a motorcyclist

[grumbledoak]

toxgobbler said:

I think they should extend it, it's made the CC zone much nicer as both a pedestrian and as a motorcyclist

How? Traffic levels are exactly the same as they were.

[Zead]

agree with Grumbledoak, I cycle and bike and traffic is as bad as ever if not worse. (Off topic) I think strictly enforcing red routes would be a much more effective congestion beater. And why put parking bays on red routes?

[Daniel1]

So people can unload for 20 minutes or let disabled people park

[Fiatfan]

I hope the Western extension goes but where will Boris get the "lost" revenue from?

[grumbledoak]

They never had the revenue before. If it wasn't for that little Communist sthead's pet projects and TfL's ridiculous staffing and pay levels Boris could just do without it.

[poocherama]

Indeed the traffic is utterly horrendous. Chelsea embankment, kings/Fulham road, all choka.

Also I doubt it produces any real revenue, like most beauracracies it is simply self sustaining.

[DWP]

Fiatfan said:

I hope the Western extension goes but where will Boris get the "lost" revenue from?

I'll think you'll find most of the capital goes to Capita who "run" the scheme.

[LOGiK]

the lost revenue wont be needed because Mr Johnson doesn't have an office filled with useless individuals ripping off the public.

[chimaera5.0]

I thought Boris had plans to scrap the whole C charge in his manifesto. Wish he would ! Also can he include the M4 bus lane to the list as well (That was a Two Jags Prescott initiative to help politicians get into London quicker when they return from all their foreign junkets at taxpayers expense). Wake up Britain !!!. All these ideas are all about making money not making our lives better !!!

[crackedfinger]

Tifosi said:

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncha...

Weird that the story was posted without a link!

[mantra]

IIRC car numbers are down, 100k less but congestion is as per before due to road changes and loss of space for cars.

[mmltonge]

Daniel1 said:

So people can unload for 20 minutes or let disabled people park

If it's ok for disabled people to park there it shouldn't be a red route. I'm sorry but just because you are disabled doesn't mean you should be able to park wherever you want whenever you want - if it's unsafe to park for the rest of us, it is for them too. IMO. Red Routes are supposed to be placed where parking would cause excessive disruption or endanger road users as far as I know (arent they?) - so to put Parking Bays on them is completely contradictory. If it's ok to load / park for disabled users, then they should be double yellows with short stay bays instead.

[mmltonge]

mantra said:

IIRC car numbers are down, 100k less but congestion is as per before due to road changes and loss of space for cars.

Correct, but this means as a cyclist, pedestrian or driver it looks and feels as if nothing has changed as everyone is still bunched up in queues getting pissed off.