Will you scrap the C-charge, Boris? Let me brood on it

BORIS JOHNSON is considering scrapping the entire congestion zone to boost the London economy, he announced today.

The Mayor has already said he will get rid of the western extension zone, but has now pledged to look at abolishing the charge covering central London.

When asked about the issue at today's Mayor's Question Time he said he would "brood" on the matter but wanted to be convinced it would not have an adverse effect on congestion.

Tory Assembly member Victoria Borwick said: "You have listened to Londoners once, will you listen to them again."

Mr Johnson also said he would consider extending the congestion charge-free period for an extra week before Christmas to encourage shoppers, as well as putting pressure on boroughs to introduce free parking over the festive period.

He said: "We will certainly look into it. It's a very good idea. There will be a free period from 25 December to 1 January. We are looking at other ways of encouraging people to come and buy things. As for the congestion charge, let me brood on it. Let me think about that. I'm almost tempted to ask for a show of hands.

"There is a problem with congestion in this city and people twisting their steering wheels into pretzels. Before we did anything I would have to be assured congestion would not be affected."

However, Mr Johnson came under renewed fire over his plans to put up bus and Tube fares in the New Year.

Leader of the Labour group Len Duvall accused him of deceiving Londoners by focusing on freezing of the council tax and "pretending" they would be better off. Instead, Mr Duvall argued, the average resident would be saving just £6 a year on the GLA tax freeze, but paying an extra £90 on travel.

But Mr Johnson said every Londoner would be worse off if the extra money was not there to be invested in the transport infrastructure. He was also criticised for leaving the cost of making the pensioners freedom pass valid 24 hours a day to the boroughs.