LIVINGSTONE C-CHARGE EXPANSION IS POLITICALLY DRIVEN NOT EVIDENCE BASED

3.46.30pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 30th Sep 2005

Commenting on the announcement by Ken Livingstone that he is to ignore the results of the consultation and expand the Congestion Charge into Kensington and Chelsea, Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesman, Geoff Pope, said: -

"The Mayor's argument as to why the Congestion Charge should be expanded into Kensington and Chelsea has time and again been shown to fly in the face of common sense.

"The high proportion of residential properties within the proposed westward extension risks compromising the existing Scheme by enabling many thousands more motorists to enter central London at minimal cost, and bring with it a rise in traffic levels in the existing zone.

"The Mayor's westward extension proposals are the wrong scheme at the wrong time. Mr Livingstone risks damaging his Central Zone scheme, which has been stunningly successful in reducing traffic and congestion, by an extension which is politically driven rather than substance-based.

"When the Mayor gives his reasons for expanding the Congestion Charge into Kensington and Chelsea he fails to mention that traffic levels have already been declining year on year for the last six years.

"The Mayor should be shouting from the rafters just how successful his government has been in reducing traffic in Kensington and Chelsea. Instead he has kept silent in the hope that people will think that the expansion into K&C is needed when all the evidence shows it clearly is not."

ENDS

Notes to editor

Geoff Pope is available for interview. To arrange, please call Richard Stokoe on 07720838351

Figures released by the Department for Transport on 7th July 2005 on regional traffic growth show that road traffic has increased by 11% since 1997 (Road Traffic Statistics for Local Authorities: 1994-2004) but in Kensington and Chelsea has declined by 3%.

NUMBER OF VEHICLE MILES IN KENSINGTON AND CHELSEA 1997 - 2004 ('000,000)

Local Authority 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

Kensington and Chelsea 372 367 366 366 362 361

These figures and more can be found at:-

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_032740.xls

Related Link:

Full C-charge announcement