Boris Johnson cuts congestion charge

Following my previous blog/rant about public transport, I am pleased to hear that Mayor of London Boris Johnson has announced that he is to scrap the western extension of the congestion charge.

The Mayor stood on a soap box in Portobello Road yesterday and told residents and market traders that the £8 per day charge is to be stopped.

The Evening Standard report him saying to the 'cheers from residents and market traders': "The people of London have spoken and we have listened."

Mr Johnson's decision to put an end to the congestion charge in the West end follows evidence that the imposed charge failed to reduce congestion.

Many market traders, such as those residing in Portobello Road have been affected negatively by the congestion charge as it has stopped their regualar customers entering the area.

Boris Johnson took a dig at the former London Mayor - The Evening Standard reports:

“We could have ignored the data like the last Mayor but we will not do that. I want to remove this tax by 2010 and hopefully before. It will be great for this part of London which is already struggling and it is absolutely the right thing to do, especially from an economical point of view.”

As of 2010, the congestion-charge zone will no longer include Kensington, Chelsea, Belgravia, Pimlico and Bayswater.

The original congestion-charge zone by Edgware Road and Park Lane will continue as before.