Ken will look at the whole of Kensington for expanded Congestion Charge Zone

13 October 2003

Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone today responded to pressure from Kensington and Chelsea Council and agreed that if congestion charging were extended to the west, he would consider a boundary that would include the entire Royal Borough.

Following a consultation exercise carried out by Transport for London (TfL) earlier this year, fears have been growing that if re-elected in 2004, Mr. Livingstone would split the Borough by extending the zone only as far as the Earl's Court one way system. This would leave 20,000 Royal Borough residents outside the zone and cut off from the rest of the community.

In a letter to the Leader of the Council, Cllr. Merrick Cockell, Mr. Livingstone writes, "I am aware of local concerns". He also confirms that he has asked TfL to look at the Council's suggestion that the "boundary should follow the West London railway line (the Borough boundary)."

"Before rushing to expand, we believe we need a much longer look at the impact of the existing zone, especially on business," said Cllr. Cockell. "But if the Mayor is determined to press ahead with expansion, then the whole of the Borough must be in. We cannot have elderly residents and young families paying a fiver to visit the GP, the supermarket or to drop the kids at school. That would be appalling!

"Unfortunately, the idea of using the Earl's Court Road as a boundary is still on the table. We mustn't relax until the idea of splitting the Borough has been dropped altogether."

In his letter, Mr. Livingstone also agrees to take account of Council worries that the extension might be implemented as a separate zone so that in effect, the Capital would have two zones and drivers and residents would face separate charges to pass through each.

As the debate on congestion charging heats up, the Royal Borough is embarking on a consultation exercise it hopes will reach every home and business in Kensington and Chelsea.

"Extension into Kensington and Chelsea will dramatically affect the lives of our residents," said Cllr. Cockell. "The less well off they are, the more dramatic the effect will be. We must let them know what is going on and ensure that Ken Livingstone also hear their voices."

A recent survey of small businesses by the Royal Borough indicated that the overwhelming majority noted the CCS had a detrimental effect on their business. Prior to that, a survey in July of 500 businesses by London First found that less than half now believe the £5-a-day scheme is working.

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