New Transport Strategy outlines proposals for Congestion Charge rise

Removal of Western Extension also proposed.

A new Transport Strategy published by London Mayor Boris Johnson proposes a Congestion Charge rise of up to £2.

Proposes outline the Congestion Charge to be £9 on the day if registered for a new automated payment channel of Congestion Charging Auto Pay, £10 if paid on the day of travel if paid using the existing payment channels and £12 if paid the charging day after driving within the zone.

Previously, it cost £8 if paid in advance or on the day and £10 if paid the charging day after driving within the zone.

The charge increase is being proposed for reasons including that it helps to reduce traffic and congestion in central London and raise revenues to invest in transport improvements across Greater London.

Fleet operators registered with Fleet Auto Pay would see the daily charge increased from £7 to £9 per vehicle, and the minimum number of vehicles on the fleet account would decrease to six.

The proposed Congestion Charging Auto Pay payment option would record the number of days a vehicle travels within the zone each month and bill the account holder accordingly.

Customers would have to make an annual £10 payment to register a vehicle, and can register up to five vehicles.

Drivers using this method would not be issued with Penalty Charge Notices for forgetting to pay.

Those eligible for the Residents’ 90 per cent discount would also now have the option to register for Congestion Charging Auto Pay and pay the charge daily rather than only weekly, monthly or annually in advance.

It has also been proposed to remove the Western Extension at the end of the charging day on 24 December 2010.

Residents in this area would cease to be eligible for the Residents' 90 per cent discount and would pay full charge to drive within the remaining zone.

Further information:
Transport for London