Public inquiry call over C-charge plan

Ken Livingstone has been hit with demands for a public inquiry into his proposed congestion charge extension.

Council leaders believe the £125 million scheme would be poor value for money and prevent more worthwhile transport projects going ahead. They say that even if the road levy is increased from £5 to £8, which the Mayor proposes to do in July, it could take more than 20 years to break even.

The criticism comes in a report by the Association of London Government (ALG) which represents the capital's 33 local authorities. They want a public inquiry to scrutinise the plan to double the size of the charging zone, by taking it into Notting Hill, Kensington, Knightsbridge, and Chelsea by 2007.

The Mayor's own Londonwide public consultation last year, which attracted 102,000 responses, found 63 per cent of residents and 72 per cent of businesses opposed.

London First, the business group that devised the central London scheme, told him the extension was a "complete waste of public money" and would undo the 15 per cent cut in traffic in the existing zone.

Mr Livingstone is not obliged to call an inquiry.

He has already hinted he will impose the extension because he believes it will cut traffic, reduce vehicle emissions and speed up buses. He said: "We would do it even if it wasn't going to make money. It's about reducing congestion."

The ALG analysis found:

The ALG also claims that if the extension goes ahead traffic levels in the area covered by the current C-charge zone would go up - especially in Westminster. ALG director of transport Nick Lester said: "The scheme does not appear to offer value for money. Given concerns about costs and the uncertain impact of the proposals, there appear to be grounds for a public inquiry."

The proposed zone would extend west to the West Cross Route, north to Harrow Road and south to Chelsea Embankment. The Mayor will decide next month whether to launch a second public consultation, with the final decision on the scheme expected in autumn.

His officials said previous attempts to force a public inquiry had failed because of the extensive public consultation undertaken by the Mayor.

A TfL spokesman said: "All businesses and residents will have the opportunity to raise concerns. The extension would bring monetary benefits from reduced traffic delays and bus waiting times, less fuel consumed and fewer accidents."