Congestion charge hike is an ‘unfair tax’
9th June 2014
The price of the London Congestion Charge has increased, for the first time since 2011.
Effective from 16 June 2014, the daily charge has been increased from £10 to £11.50 (£10.50 for users of the Auto Pay system and fleet customers, or £14 if paid the next charging day).
A TfL spokesperson said the rise would ensure the charge remains a relative deterrent to all but the most essential journeys into the centre of London, contributing an income of £82.7m over the course of the next five years, which will be re-invested into London’s transport network.
The Freight Transport Association, however, has labelled the charge an unfair tax. “Commercial vehicles making essential deliveries, such as keeping the capital's shelves stocked and supplying London's hospitals, should be exempt,” the FTA's head of policy for London Natalie Chapman said. “But they have now been unfairly clobbered with a bigger rise than casual users of the scheme.”
The FTA says it supports the aim of the charge in deterring non-essential journeys, but argues that it’s not feasible to deliver goods on public transport, nor are alternative modes practical for the door-to-door deliveries that central London requires.
Additionally, there are no charge-free breaks in the daytime to encourage deliveries to be made outside of rush hour. Prior to the charge starting at 7am Monday to Friday, the movements of heavy goods vehicles are restricted by the London Lorry Control Scheme – also known as the ‘London Lorry Ban’. The LLCS then starts again at 9pm, leaving only three non-restricted hours a day in central London from 6pm to 9pm and Saturday mornings.
Natalie Chapman added: “The logistics industry helped Transport for London deliver a successful Olympics and a big part of the games legacy for our industry has been a greater recognition of the essential role we play in keeping London fed and watered. So we are particularly disappointed that we face such a steep rise in the cost of supporting London’s economy.”
A range of other changes to the Congestion Charge are being introduced in late 2015. For example CC Auto Pay users will be able to pay by direct debit (currently only credit or debit cards can be used), and customers who have paid in advance, but can no longer travel on the date in question, will be able to amend the date for a £2.50 admin fee.