Economics: Reasons for Congestion charging zone

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Economics: Reasons for Congestion charging zone

London suffers the worst traffic congestion in the UK and amongst the worst in Europe. Drivers in central London spend 50% of their time in queues. Every weekday morning, the equivalent of 25 busy motorway lanes of traffic tries to enter central London. It has been estimated that London loses between £2-4 million every week in terms of lost time caused by congestion. Not surprisingly, Londoners say congestion is one of the biggest issues facing the capital.

Surveys have shown that Londoners do not want to see congestion clogging up roads, threatening businesses and damaging London's status as a thriving world city.

That's why the Mayor included proposals for a scheme to reduce congestion in his election manifesto, along with other key proposals for a properly integrated transport system for London.

He spent over 20 months following his election consulting on and amending the details of the scheme, in order to meet demands from businesses, residents and a large number of other interested groups, and in February 2002 announced his decision to go ahead.

Research undertaken by Transport for London has shown that congestion charging will lead to reduced traffic levels which are equivalent to those currently enjoyed during the school holidays.
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By law, all money raised from congestion charging will be added to what's already been spent on London's transport facilities - so that it benefits everyone.

As part of the Mayor's Transport Strategy, congestion charging will also be accompanied by a wide range of measures designed to make public transport easier, cheaper, faster and more reliable.

TfL has also set aside £100 million for traffic management schemes to benefit drivers and residents across the whole capital, introduced complementary to congestion charging.

The Mayor and Transport for London are committed to getting London ...

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