Congestion charge problems must be resolved before fines are raised

3.58.23pm GMT Mon 2nd Feb 2004

The Mayor should ensure that Capita stops wrongly penalising people before he even considers raising congestion charge penalties, said the London Assembly Liberal Democrats today.

In response to Transport for London's launch of a ten-week consultation into changes to the congestion charge, Lynne Featherstone, Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, said:

"Capita has had a nearly year to sort out any glitches in the administration of the congestion charge, yet I am still regularly contacted by people who have been wrongly penalised.

"Before the Mayor considers raising the penalties, he should ensure that Capita improves its performance."

She added:

"If the Mayor hadn't been so hasty in handing over an extra £31m to Capita last year, maybe there would be no need to increase the congestion charge penalties."

ENDS