London Congestion Charge gets its message even more mixed up
Discussion
I just read this:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/15/...
and think that some of the points it raises are very valid. The congestion charge was introduced to cut congestion. In my opinion, it failed to do that, because from my experience it massively increased traffic in the areas around the charging zone.
Then they create exemptions for hybrid vehicles. The propulsion method has nothing to do with the amount of congestion produced, and some big hybrids (e.g. Lexus RX) are as polluting as mid sized cars that are not exempt anyway.
Now they are creating exemption for cars that produce 99gCO2 or less, which includes a whole range of diesel cars, and excludes a whole range of hybrid cars that might have been bought specifically because they were favoured by the CC in the first place.
Most importantly of all, if they are worried about central London air quality, what has CO2 got to do with it? Not much when compared to NOX and particulates produced by even the greenest of diesels.
The policy-shift is excruciating! Anyone that has seen my posts knows that I am not against cleaner cars, but FFS Boris, this is embarrassing for you, surely? What are you ACTUALLY trying to achieve?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/15/...
and think that some of the points it raises are very valid. The congestion charge was introduced to cut congestion. In my opinion, it failed to do that, because from my experience it massively increased traffic in the areas around the charging zone.
Then they create exemptions for hybrid vehicles. The propulsion method has nothing to do with the amount of congestion produced, and some big hybrids (e.g. Lexus RX) are as polluting as mid sized cars that are not exempt anyway.
Now they are creating exemption for cars that produce 99gCO2 or less, which includes a whole range of diesel cars, and excludes a whole range of hybrid cars that might have been bought specifically because they were favoured by the CC in the first place.
Most importantly of all, if they are worried about central London air quality, what has CO2 got to do with it? Not much when compared to NOX and particulates produced by even the greenest of diesels.
The policy-shift is excruciating! Anyone that has seen my posts knows that I am not against cleaner cars, but FFS Boris, this is embarrassing for you, surely? What are you ACTUALLY trying to achieve?
This is left-wing agitprop of the highest order. Seriously, how many diesels really emit under 100g/ km CO2?? I don't exactly see them "flooding the market"!
Sounds an eminently sensible proposal to me. After all most Hybrid Lexuses spend most of their time in London in petrol mode I would guess.
Sounds an eminently sensible proposal to me. After all most Hybrid Lexuses spend most of their time in London in petrol mode I would guess.
I always feel dirty after reading the grauniad, if only because I've given them a teeny, tiny bit of advertising revenue.
The Congestion Charge was more to do with Ken Livingstone gaining a revenue stream; his role was not supposed to have tax raising powers. Congestion was the excuse, and 'Charge' just another word for tax. It was unsuccessful, costing almost as much to run as it raises.
Boris should work out what he is really trying to achieve, and work towards that. If that means scrapping it, he should do so. Sadly, once you have a (not so) small office full of public sector workers with their hands in our pockets, they are awfully hard to get rid of.
The Congestion Charge was more to do with Ken Livingstone gaining a revenue stream; his role was not supposed to have tax raising powers. Congestion was the excuse, and 'Charge' just another word for tax. It was unsuccessful, costing almost as much to run as it raises.
Boris should work out what he is really trying to achieve, and work towards that. If that means scrapping it, he should do so. Sadly, once you have a (not so) small office full of public sector workers with their hands in our pockets, they are awfully hard to get rid of.
grumbledoak said:
Boris should work out what he is really trying to achieve, and work towards that.
Totally agree. If it's to tackle congestion, then do something about it. If it's to tackle air pollution, then do something about it. It's impossible to form a policy that will do both using the blunt instrument that is the congestion charge!Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff