Car charge scheme will create 'rat runs'

A damning study warning that Ken Livingstone's congestion-charging scheme would choke London with pollution was "buried" by his officials because it had the "wrong" conclusions.

The confidential study - seen by the Standard - was carried out by engineering consultants Halcrow Fox and sent to Transport for London (TfL) in April last year.

The study says:

? Air pollution will rise when thousands of extra vehicles divert away from the boundary and squeeze onto "rat runs".

? Scope for offsetting this extra pollution will be "very limited".

? Major changes to the inner ring road enabling it to carry traffic from the centre will concentrate pollution.

? Thousands of extra congestion charging signs and cameras could be an eyesore.

? London's ecology could be damaged.

? Sensitive heritage sites could be damaged by signs and cameras.

? There will be increased noise and vibration.

? Impact from construction, associated with setting up the charging scheme.

The study warned TfL to carry out a formal environmental assessment and publish the findings. Otherwise, it warns, the Mayor - and his flagship £5-a-day scheme - could be exposed to a fullscale legal challenge by local authorities.

But Westminster says the advice was ignored and next week the council will use the study to spearhead High Court proceedings against congestion charging.

Today Westminster council deputy leader, Kit Malthouse, said: "This is damning evidence that the Mayor's advisers avoided an assessment that would have been of enormous benefit. The study came up with conclusions they did not like, so they buried it."

Westminster says the report was not included in formal advice given to the Mayor before he had to make a decision on congestion charging. "Ken Livingstone and TfL were determined from the start congestion charging through," said Mr Malthouse.

TFL today vigorously defended itself, A TfL spokesman said: "Halcrow Fox never recommended a formal Environmental Impact Assessment.

"However, Halcrow Fox did state that a voluntary assessment should be undertaken. TfL did this through several studies. Material reflecting the results of these studies was included in materials used for consultation for TfL.

"The results were made available to the Mayor. He acknowledged that he had received this advice in his statement to confirm the Scheme Order in February."

Judicial Review proceedings against the scheme begin at the High Court on Monday.