The congestion charge has long been a pet hate of drivers in the capital, enforced to help raise funds for the transport system, whilst also reducing congestion by encouraging road users to car share or use the extensive public transport system. Introduced in 2003, it was extended in 2007 and it is the largest of its kind in the world.
But London mayor Boris Johnson has announced plans this week to change the system, scrapping the western are which was added in 2007, and increasing the daily charge from eight to ten pounds.
Cars that have less emissions than 2100g/klm will be able to travel through the city centre for free, as will the electric cars that you see all over central London.
The previous mayor, Ken Livingstone, proposed a tiered system where cars with low emissions paid less that those with far higher emissions, like the Land rover or heavy goods vehicles. The current mayor has been under scrutiny to change the system for a long time, and has bid to reduce emissions in the capital by 2020, so needs to do something about it quickly.
With the introduction of hydrogen cabs, the mayor is moving in the right direction for a lower emission London, but will have to step it up a notch to achieve the figures that he hopes for.
The mayor also reiterated his intention to scrap the western extension to the zone, and announced that there will be a 2 increase in the charge, with it due to cost 10 a day.
Make sure that wherever you are driving in the UK, you have valid Car Insurance.
