Congestion Charge increases – AA reaction

Commenting on the increases to Congestion Charges announced today*, Edmund King, AA president, said: “Even though TfL were between a rock and a hard place in terms of finances, these hikes are taking the charges from a ‘congestion’ charge to a ‘taxation’ charge. Traffic at weekends and in the evenings is at its lowest ebb and hence this is no longer a congestion charge.

“What are the alternatives for longer journeys? Public transport can’t cope. More walking and cycling whilst welcome, isn’t  viable for  all people and all journeys.

“There are just 10,000 park and ride (Tube) spaces in London so emergency measures should be brought in to set up park/cycle facilities at the O2, Stratford and other locations.

“It is different to justify the weekend charge at all and in due course this will backfire on trying to get things back to normal in terms of encouraging Londoners back to retail, leisure, arts, and religious activities.

“The only saving grace may be a rush for more Londoners to buy electric vehicles in order to avoid the charges.”

ends

NOTES TO EDITORS

* https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/car-free-zones-in-london-as-cc-and-ulez-reinstated