TfL 'losing its Traffic congestion as bad as it was before C-chargeagainst congestion'

Central London congestion has soared back to levels last seen before the C-charge was introduced, an official report discloses today.

Transport for London's annual impacts monitoring study is the first time the organisation has formally admitted that the battle against congestion has gone into reverse.

Traffic levels in central London are 21 per cent lower than they were before the C-charge was launched in 2003. Traffic entering the western extension has fallen by 14 per cent.

But roadworks and traffic management measures have seen road space squeezed, triggering severe delays.

Mayor Boris Johnson today ordered TfL to bring forward emergency measuresto boost traffic flow. He told TfL to re-phase traffic lights to smooth out traffic and said he was now exercising new powers to fine utility companies that cause delays through badly planned work.

Talks were also under way with Thames Water to reduce the impact of mains repair work. TfL was pushing through plans to cover excavations with steel sheeting when work is not in progress so roads remain in use.

Mr Johnson was also bringing forward plans to let motorcyclists use bus lanes and was pushing for a bicyclehire scheme. The report said the C-charge generated provisional net income of £137 million in 2007/08 and that 70,000 fewer cars were entering the original charging zone each day compared to pre-charging levels.

Some £73 million in revenue came from motorists who were fined for not paying the daily £8 charge.

Paul Watters, the AA's head of roads and transport policy, said: "It is very concerning that congestion is now back to pre-charge levels.

"It means that motorists are getting very poor value for money when they pay the charge. It also costs a huge sum of money to run the scheme and it is still heavily dependent on fines income from drivers. The scheme depends on a high level of non-compliance."