C-charge to end earlier

Ken Livingstone today unveiled a major package of "sweeteners" in a move aimed at persuading London to accept plans for an expanded congestion charge zone.

The Mayor announced that he was preparing to shift the scheme's "shutdown" time forward half an hour to 6pm, and that residents in a newly-created buffer zone outside the expanded charging area would get a full 90 per cent discount on the toll.

It means that about 20,000 residents in the Earl's Court, West Brompton and Shepherd's Bush areas will pay less to enter the zone.

The time change is a significant boost for theatres, cinemas and restaurants who have protested that the 6.30pm cut-off cripples their trade.

But today Mr Livingstone made it clear that both changes depended on the zone being expanded into west London. Sources believe the Mayor is committed to extending the scheme.

The earlier shutdown today met mixed reactions from traders. The London Chamber of Commerce attacked the time-change as "absolutely insignificant" compared with the adverse impact the scheme was having on businesses in London. "The half-hour change is welcome, but it is far too little," said Chamber spokesman Dan Bridgett.

"If Ken Livingstone really wanted to make a difference and alleviate the suffering of businesses, he would bring forward the shut-down time by four or five hours.

"We expect that consultations into today's changes will result in exactly the same responses we have seen before - everyone wants problems with the existing charge sorted out before we even begin talking about an expansion into west London."

The proposed changes were unveiled in fresh consultation documents published by Transport for London.

TfL said Londoners would have until 15 July to respond to the detailed proposals, which follow a consultation into the principle of extending westwards that was conducted last year.

Roger Evans, London Assembly Conservative transport spokesman, said: "I welcome the reduction in hours but why can't it be brought in immediately?

"The fact that TfL says it will come in as the extension is introduced in 2007 is yet another example of their arrogance.

"They are assuming the extension is going ahead even when the latest round of consultation has only just begun."

Meanwhile, transport officials-have been accused of being "greedy" after they stamped down on a scheme preventing motorists from being fined for forgetting to pay the congestion charge.

By joining car club website Fivepounds. c o. uk they become part of a fleet officially registered with Transport-for London. Fleet members-have the congestion charge paid for them in monthly blocks by their fleet administrator, removing the risk of forgetting to pay.

But TfL has tried to thwart the scheme by demanding a V5 logbook for each one registered in a fleet. Miguel Camachowho runs the scheme, told the Standard: "TfL repeatedly say they want people to pay the charge not the fines. Clearly though they want motorists fined, because they are greedy and want their money."