COMMENT:
As you read this article the first drivers are being penalised for entering the London Congestion Charge Zone without making the appropriate registration. Clearly at this point of time one must be open minded as to its success or failure. It could be the making of Ken Livingstone (Livingstone for President!) or like the late unlamented poll tax, consigned to the history books. Ken has been artful. Rumour has it that the central London local councils have been asked/leant upon, to cut back on roadwork”s over the next couple of months in order to ensure that traffic flows better. He of course will claim that any improvements will come from the reduction of cars in the centre of town. What is a fact is that Livingstone has not helped himself with the timing. The closure of the Central Line is really a catastrophe. But just like in World War II we Londoners just grin and bear it and get on with our lives. Had Crossrail been on its way at least there would have been something to look forward to. Had the refurbishment of the Underground really got going that would have been good . If the new road schemes been finished and all the promised improvements in London buses actually taken place then the metropolis would have been really for the Congestion Tax. One might also ask why a mobile scheme involving just tapping a number into a mobile telephone is not part of the package? If they can use this scheme successfully in Tallinn, Estonia, why not London!
Over the last couple of weeks ABTN has used both public transport and private car to visit the centre of London. What was apparent driving TH!NK (see ON TOUR) during three consecutive days in the zone area was just how little traffic seemed to be about. It was the periphery of the Zone that really caused hold ups, but even here the amount of private vehicles seemed to be less than 12 months ago. The real problem was the Underground the previous week. At Victoria it was at bursting point. At Knightsbridge they were not allowing any more people into the station, and for Kings Cross it was suggested that one stayed on the train rather than get off. Just where does Ken expect to put all the car drivers who are now going to use public transport? Fortunately (or unfortunately ” depending on how you look at it) tourists and business travellers seem to be keeping away in their droves. One shudders to think what might happen if the visitors return in any number.
It truly is early days for the Congestion Tax. Let”s see how it goes. First indications are that the (C) is for chaos. One would hope it was for congeniality. Only time will tell. https://www.cclondon.com