Until 21st June 2020, the Congestion Charge cost £11.50 a day (£10.50 with Autopay) and operated from 7 am to 6 pm on weekdays only. Those living within the Congestion Charge Zone could apply for a 90% residents' discount.
On 22nd June 2020, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan increased the cost of the Congestion Charge to £15. Simultaneously he increased the hours of operation to 7 am to 10 pm and, for the first time, chose to make it include weekends. In addition, he closed the residents' discount to all new applicants from 1st August 2020.
Tony Devenish, GLA Member for West Central has long opposed this change. Commenting on its impact Tony recently said,
As London seeks to recover from the COVID pandemic, we need to do everything possible to help our businesses and deliver 'Jobs Jobs Jobs'. That means making it easier for people to drive into central London to go to the restaurants, shops and theatre in the evenings. It means making life easier for local people and business owners who might only drive a couple of times a week but should not pay over £1,500 a year to do so. We need to get our economy moving again.
Reversing the extension would also mean helping those elderly or disabled Londoners who, for whatever reason, struggle to use public transport but need to visit central London. The Mayor needs to understand that his decision has disproportionately affected some of the most vulnerable in our society. It's another compelling reason to reverse it.
If you agree that Sadiq Khan should reverse the Congestion Charge expansion immediately, please sign Tony's petition below.