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TfL London congestion charge proposals a mixed bag

16 August 2007

Transport for London's consultation document on the proposed revision to London's congestion charging has met with a mixed response - trade associations welcome a new focus on cars' contribution to pollution, but are still confused by apparent double standards.

The document, which is open to consultation from 10 August to 19 October, outlines proposals to link congestion charging to emissions output. Hence very large cars, including dual-purpose pickups, will face a £25-a-day fee, moderate-emission  vehicles (between 121g/km and 225g/km) will face the standard £8 fee, and low-emission cars (121g/km or less) which meet Euro-4 will be exempt from the charge entirely.

Euro-5 trucks will receive a £2 discount (£1 if in the fleet scheme), making their charge £6, until October 2009. However trade associations say they do not understand why a Euro-4 car will receive a greater discount and for a longer period than a Euro-5 truck. "TfL's advertising has put much emphasis on cars lately and so does this document, and that's welcome," says Freight Transport Association external affairs director Geoff Dossetter. "However, on the face of it [the discount disparity] does seem unfair."

Jack Semple, director of policy at the Road Haulage Association, says: "I've been trying to ascertain whether the discount will apply to all Euro-5s or just those with the automatic power-down but I haven't had a response so far. But  it's a small discount for a small time."



Louise Cole
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