Congestion charge will mean a big change for Londoners

12.00.00am GMT Mon 16th Dec 2002

Commenting on the London Assembly's Congestion Charging Report published this morning Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, said: "Mayor Ken Livingstone's Congestion Charge will mean a big change for Londoners. It will affect all those driving into central London – and those who live around the edge of the congestion charging zone."

"Liberal Democrats believe in the principle of a congestion charge. Effective action must be taken to reduce traffic levels in central London, which wastes millions of pounds a day for London business. We cannot go on as we are.

"But we share the concerns raised in the Assembly's Transport Committee's report. The Labour government gives London's elected Mayor no say in the running of the Tube, or in the management of commuter rail. Bus services have been much improved, and ridership is up, but it is an open question whether car drivers are willing to switch to the bus."

"Ken Livingstone won't tell us how he will decide whether his Congestion Charge is working or not. He won't reveal details of his very expensive contract with Capita. The lack of openness suggests very real fears that he may be held to account for costly failures.

"We have been particularly concerned about the Mayor's failure to share all the details of the contract with us, and his reluctance to explain exactly how the scheme will be judged to be successful or not."

"The Mayor must promise Londoners now that ANY problems arising from the introduction of congestion charging will be dealt with immediately, not in six months time."