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.
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.