URGENT - ACTION REQUIRED BY 2 AUGUST 2010

CAMPAIGN UPDATE: 21 June 2010

Removing western extension of congestion charging zone is ‘daftest’ of Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies

The Mayor of London (Mayor) has launched the final consultation on his plans to remove the western extension of the congestion charge (WEZ) (Note 1). The final deadline for comments is 2 August 2010. Your views can be submitted by email to CChargeConsultation@tfl.gov.uk or online at:

https://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/roadusers/congestioncharging/consultation/default.aspx

Key elements of the Mayor’s proposals, put forward by Transport for London (TfL), include:

• Removing the WEZ formally from 3 January 2011
• Increasing the daily charge in the Central Congestion Charging Zone (CCCZ) to £10 (£9 with ‘Auto Pay’)
• Residents in the WEZ area losing their 90% discount for travelling in the remaining CCCZ
• Replacing the Alternative Fuel Discount with a Greener Vehicle Discount which would provide a 100% discount to cars emitting 100g/km or less of CO2 and meet the Euro 5 standard

The Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) strongly opposes the Mayor’s proposal to remove the WEZ and reckons it is the ‘daftest’ of the Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies. Key reasons include:

1. Harmful emissions would rise by up to 8%: Emissions of the most harmful air pollutants would increase by between 3% and 8% in the WEZ area (which compares with an expected 13% reduction only between 2008 and 2011 across all London in the Mayor’s draft Air Quality Strategy) Note 2;

2. Congestion would increase by up to 21%: Congestion would increase by 15% to 21% within the WEZ area. The consultation document admits congestion would be worse than before the WEZ was introduced in part because local road capacity has reduced since 2007. Vehicles at 5 mph are about twice as polluting as those travelling at 20 mph (e.g. when congestion is lighter);

3. It would take years to regain WEZ benefits: The adverse impacts of removing the WEZ would only be offset ‘over time’. TfL cites mitigating measures that may enter into force from 2012…;

4. 48,000 people would lose their 90% discount: 48,000 people in the WEZ area are currently registered for the residents’ discount and would lose their 90% discount to drive in the CCCZ; and

5. £55 million net income per year: Removing the WEZ would reduce net income for London transport by £55 million. That must impact negatively on other transport projects.

Simon Birkett, Founder of CCAL, said: “Removing the WEZ is the ‘daftest’ of the Mayor’s ‘daft’ transport policies. With huge air quality and congestion problems, London needs to be moving forwards not backwards. The Campaign for Clean Air in London urges the silent majority to respond to the Mayor’s final consultation and oppose the removal of the WEZ.”

Notes:

1. For full consultation details see: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/15520.aspx

2. For impacts see Table 3.3, page 20: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/corporate/appendix-e-report-on-the-removal-of-the-western-extension-zone.pdf   more »

The purpose of the cross-party Campaign for Clean Air in London (CCAL) is to achieve urgently and sustainably at least World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended standards of air quality throughout London.

Air pollution near many of London's busiest roads averages well over twice the WHO's maximum recommended levels. When the political will existed in the past, air pollution issues were tackled quickly, for example the ozone layer, leaded petrol, acid rain and pea-souper smogs. All that is needed now is for the Prime Minister to make a commitment that the government will comply fully with [health based] air quality laws and for that commitment to be followed by determined action to meet deadlines. If you are worried about air pollution, please email the Ministers responsible for air quality, 'FAO The Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP' at helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk and 'The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP' at philip.hammond@dft.gsi.gov.uk, telling them about your concerns and ask them to press the Prime Minister for such a commitment and such action. It really is that simple.

With the spotlight on the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games (London 2012) after the successes of Beijing, the United Kingdom has a choice: 'Ridicule for breaching air quality laws every year'; or a 'Standing ovation for showing the world how to address sustainability issues'.

CCAL's immediate priority is to see that air quality laws are rigorously enforced in each year leading up to London 2012.

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