Think Twice Before Adopting London-Style Congestion Charges Regional Towns Are Warned

LONDON, February 13 --

- Transport Congestion Charges

- ATTN: Regional Editors

As the anniversary of the introduction of congestion charging in London approaches, the Road Users' Alliance (RUA) warns other local authorities to think carefully before introducing similar schemes.

"While London's congestion charge has been successful in reducing traffic, it has clearly not been an economic success," says Tim Green, RUA Director. "The GBP68m expected to be raised from charges has fallen way below initial expectations and the total start-up and operating cost has been GBP361m. Retailers within the area are complaining of reduced business and even Ken Livingstone has decided to put plans for expansion of the congestion charging area on ice."

Green warns that other cities considering introducing similar schemes should be wary of scaring away major retailers and laying commercial waste to their centres. "London has always been much less dependent on the car to deliver its customers and workforce than other conurbations which are therefore at higher risk," he says.

"Our leading provincial centres are already struggling to attract investors and compete in the global market with their European peers. Poor transport facilities are a major contributing factor. Our strategic road network is at the bottom of the European league, rating 13th out of the 15 EU countries.

"What is needed is an overall strategy to ensure a joined-up network, so that traffic can flow easily not only in City centres but from centre to centre. Money raised from road charging should be invested in the road network, to make congestion charging a viable proposition for businesses and acceptable to road users who already pay GBP44bn a year in motoring taxes for very little return in terms of road service.

"The design and management of such a network should be tasked to a National Strategic Road Authority."

Further information/comment: RUA Press Office, HMPR Tel: +44 (0)20-7730-2212