Congestion Charges
London Mayor Boris Johnson has scrapped proposals for an emission-based congestion charge that would have seen a £25 fee for high-emission vehicles and low-emission vehicles being exempt from charges.
The Mayor made the announcement as vehicle manufacturer Porsche’s legal attempts to get the £25 charge over turned reached the High Court. The High Court confirmed that the paperwork necessary to end the proposal had been completed.
As a result, Mr Johnson claimed that the CO2 charge was ‘no more’ and that the scrapping of the measures meant that he had delivered on an election manifesto promise.Well that’s a first for a politician these days!
Mr Johnson said: “I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest. I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free.â€
The decision by the Mayor means that the discount for alternative fuel vehicles will remain in place and the existing congestion charge scheme will not be affected.
Porsche played a decisive role in striking down such a blatantly political tax increase targeting motorists. They have been rewarded for their hard work as the decision on the charge has been overturned; Porsche is entitled to have its legal costs paid by Transport for London.
The manufacturer has said that it will donate the money it receives to charity.What a shame the Transport of London is not a charity for then Porsche could have donated it back in a quest to improve public services.
Jackie Violet - Female First