London Might Get New Road Taxes

London’s mayor Boris Johnson has a plan for his city, but the good news stops here. If his Transport Strategy goes through, new road charges might appear in the British capital, and the people affected by this measure have only until January 12 to make a point against this measure.

The 354-page document referring to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy includes a section entitled “Wider application of road user charging to manage demand” which shows the intention to introduce more road taxes.

"Given the success of the central London Congestion Charging scheme and the London LEZ in meeting their principal goals" says the document, "the Mayor may explore the application of road user charging in other circumstances where it can be appropriately tailored to local conditions and suitably implemented."

The document also states that "road user charging can be highly effective in altering travel patterns and can be tailored to support sustainable transport objectives", but admits that "it is clearly a contentious policy as the rejection of proposed schemes in Edinburgh and Manchester and the response to the Mayor's informal consultation on the Western Extension make clear."

Though the document has been available since October, some say it did not get enough attention.

"The MTS is seeking approval for the extension of the discredited Congestion Charge to other areas, and even drops a hint about it becoming London-wide" says ABD London Media Spokesman, Brian Mooney. "The consultation leaflet has been anything but impartial, leading readers towards agreeing with a loaded statement supporting 'fair road pricing'.

"The leaflet makes no attempt at any objective discussion on what might or might not be fair. Nor does it remind the reader that drivers already pay five times over for their emissions and the paltry investment in roads. There is nothing fair about adding to this burden and pricing people off the road."