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| Version 6 | Version 7 |
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| Congestion charge zone increases | Congestion charge zone increases |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| London's congestion charge zone roughly doubled in size at 0700 GMT with a westward expansion coming into force. | London's congestion charge zone roughly doubled in size at 0700 GMT with a westward expansion coming into force. |
| The £8-a-day road toll scheme now takes in most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London. | The £8-a-day road toll scheme now takes in most of Westminster and Kensington and Chelsea in west London. |
| Transport for London (TfL) said the first morning rush hour had gone well but the AA said half-term holidays had reduced the number of cars. | |
| About 55,000 residents in the new zone will receive a 90% discount on the fee - sparking a fear of more congestion. | About 55,000 residents in the new zone will receive a 90% discount on the fee - sparking a fear of more congestion. |
| The daily time frame for the entire congestion charge area also changes with an end 30 minutes earlier at 1800. | The daily time frame for the entire congestion charge area also changes with an end 30 minutes earlier at 1800. |
| West London residents are planning a demonstration against the new charge later on Monday. | West London residents are planning a demonstration against the new charge later on Monday. |
| They believe it will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. | They believe it will damage businesses and cost residents hundreds of pounds a year. |
| According to TfL, traffic in the original central congestion charge zone has fallen 20% since the scheme began in 2003. It expects a further fall of 15% when the new charge kicks in. | According to TfL, traffic in the original central congestion charge zone has fallen 20% since the scheme began in 2003. It expects a further fall of 15% when the new charge kicks in. |
| It also says the toll has helped fight pollution, reduce road injuries, increased the number of cyclists and caused more people to turn to public transport. | It also says the toll has helped fight pollution, reduce road injuries, increased the number of cyclists and caused more people to turn to public transport. |
| Click to see new congestion charge area | Click to see new congestion charge area |
| TfL's director of congestion charging Malcolm Murray-Clark said: "London still has significant congestion problems. | TfL's director of congestion charging Malcolm Murray-Clark said: "London still has significant congestion problems. |
| "Surveys indicate that of all areas adjacent to the [central] zone, congestion is most intense in the west where there are severe delays throughout the working day." | "Surveys indicate that of all areas adjacent to the [central] zone, congestion is most intense in the west where there are severe delays throughout the working day." |
| A TfL spokesman said at 0900 GMT: "It's all looking pretty good, and the rest of the transport network seems to be running smoothly, too. | A TfL spokesman said at 0900 GMT: "It's all looking pretty good, and the rest of the transport network seems to be running smoothly, too. |
| "The infrastructure and enforcement equipment is working as it should be. | "The infrastructure and enforcement equipment is working as it should be. |
| "We are monitoring the situation and seeing how it goes." | "We are monitoring the situation and seeing how it goes." |
| This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners Nationals Alliance Against Tolls | This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners Nationals Alliance Against Tolls |
| Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the AA, said the rush hour had been generally quiet across the newly-extended zone. | Paul Watters, head of roads policy for the AA, said the rush hour had been generally quiet across the newly-extended zone. |
| "The free route has been very busy, as expected," he said. | "The free route has been very busy, as expected," he said. |
| "It is half-term in many parts of the home counties and that will have a reducing effect. | "It is half-term in many parts of the home counties and that will have a reducing effect. |
| "In addition a lot of people are nervous of using the system, as happened when it was first brought in. | "In addition a lot of people are nervous of using the system, as happened when it was first brought in. |
| "I think it won't hit home for another couple of weeks." | "I think it won't hit home for another couple of weeks." |
| Angie Bray, of the London Assembly Conservatives, said: "Fewer cars are using the roads yet congestion increases. | Angie Bray, of the London Assembly Conservatives, said: "Fewer cars are using the roads yet congestion increases. |
| "The reasons are poor planning and use of road space. Bus and cycle lanes in conjunction with re-phased traffic lights are making London travel slower." | "The reasons are poor planning and use of road space. Bus and cycle lanes in conjunction with re-phased traffic lights are making London travel slower." |
| The city's transport watchdog, London Travelwatch, has supported the congestion charge and the expansion. | The city's transport watchdog, London Travelwatch, has supported the congestion charge and the expansion. |
| HAVE YOUR SAY You cannot have such taxes until there is a viable alternative to travel by car Paul, Taunton Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY You cannot have such taxes until there is a viable alternative to travel by car Paul, Taunton Send us your comments |
| But chairman Brian Cooke said a two-zone system would have been better than having one large congestion charge area. | But chairman Brian Cooke said a two-zone system would have been better than having one large congestion charge area. |
| He said: "The inclusion of more residents in the discount scheme will mean increased congestion in the existing zone, thereby lessening the benefits seen over the last few years from the congestion charge." | He said: "The inclusion of more residents in the discount scheme will mean increased congestion in the existing zone, thereby lessening the benefits seen over the last few years from the congestion charge." |
| Darren Johnson, leader of the London Assembly's Green Party, said: "The westward extension of the congestion charge will mean more people enjoy the benefit of safer, less polluted streets and more efficient bus services." | Darren Johnson, leader of the London Assembly's Green Party, said: "The westward extension of the congestion charge will mean more people enjoy the benefit of safer, less polluted streets and more efficient bus services." |
| A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners. | A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "This extension of the charge zone is a lose-lose situation for Londoners. |
| "It will increase congestion everywhere else including the existing zone." | "It will increase congestion everywhere else including the existing zone." |
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