An increase in the number of ‘green’ cars could mean disaster for central London’s Congestion Charge, it has been warned.
Plans to exempt the least polluting cars in favour of slapping a £25 charge on gas guzzlers are doomed to failure, according to the Green Party.
But the sales of cars that will avoid the charge have increased by 28% in the first nine months of this year, claim the Greens.
Jenny Jones, a Green Party member of the London Assembly, claims Transport for London is using out dated figures which under estimate the number of Londoners who are switching to greener cars.
She has now warned the Mayor, Ken Livingstone, that congestion in central London will now increase. ‘Londoners are switching to greener cars far faster than the London Mayor realizes.
‘By late 2009, when the least polluting cars are due to be exempted from the charge, Londoners are more likely to be buying a band A & B car than a gas guzzling SUV.
‘This is good news for the environment, but cars are still a second best alternative to public transport, cycling and walking for most London journeys.
‘Even greener cars should be made to pay more than the cost of a tube journey, as they can still cause congestion and road injuries.’
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