Congestion charging is ‘successful’
Big improvements in journey times and traffic speeds have already been achieved as a result of the introduction of congestion charging in central London, according to Transport for London.
The latest review of the scheme, which is now in its fourth month, has shown that journeys from the boundary to the centre of the zone are now averaging over 18km per hour compared to sample traffic speeds of just under 15km per hour immediately prior to the introduction of the charge.
And average journey times for commuter trips from inner and outer London to the charging zone have decreased from an average of 46 minutes to an average of 40 minutes, with a large improvement in reliability.
Malcolm Murray-Clark, the director of congestion charging at TfL, stated that he was pleased with the analysis of results drawn from a London-wide panel of motorists.
“The congestion charge is achieving its primary objective of reducing congestion within central London,” he said, “with subsequent improvements in vehicle journey times, increased travel speeds and improvements in bus performance and reliability.”
Bus delays inside the zone due to traffic congestion fell by 50% in the first ten weeks of congestion charging, and delays also fell by a similar amount for routes running up to or along the periphery.
And although critics of the £5 charge claimed that public transport was not capable of dealing with the new system, buses have handled a 14% increase in use.
Over 300 extra buses were introduced to routes serving the zone in time for the introduction of congestion charging.
But despite the apparent success in terms of congestion, the 20% reduction in traffic entering the zone has not pleased everyone.
London’s mayor, Ken Livingstone, has reportedly had to request that parking charges and fines in central London be reduced, to ease the impact of the congestion charge on businesses.
According to the latest reports from the London Chamber of Commerce, 25% of those businesses within the zone, which covers eight and a half square miles – are considering relocating.
Some small businesses have reported reductions in takings of up to 15% since the charge was introduced, and there are concerns that the daily £5 fee, coupled with parking charges and fines, is making it too expensive to shop in the centre of town.
