The congestion charge is no longer fit for purpose and should eventually be replaced by road pricing, a cross-party group of London Assembly Members has said.
London Stalling, a new report from the Assembly's Transport Committee, also recommends piloting a local Workplace Parking Levy.
London assembly members say the capital is 'stalling'
It points to a sharp increase in congestion across the capital, with road users spending longer stuck in delays and buses that are so unreliable that usage has fallen.
In the foreword to the report, committee chair Caroline Pidgeon MBE said it ‘is clear is that the current Congestion Charge is no longer fit for purpose – it is a blunt instrument using old technology’ and called on mayor Sadiq Khan to ‘make plans now to introduce road pricing in London’.
The report says half of road users responding to a survey supported road pricing.
Val Shawcross, deputy mayor for transport did not rule out the move. She said: ‘We welcome any report that seeks to grapple with the crucial issue of congestion on our roads.
‘Londoners’ livelihoods and our city’s prosperity are reliant on ensuring people can get around our city quickly and safely, and we must be smarter in how we use our roads. There are some innovative new ideas here that we will look closely at.’
Bridget Fox from the Campaign for Better Transport said: ‘This is an important and timely report. It is right to recommend taking forward road pricing which could be a real improvement on the Congestion Charge by targeting fees on those journeys causing congestion and pollution.'
The report also recommends:
- reducing restrictions on night-time deliveries
- piloting a ban on personal deliveries for staff
- a pilot scheme for ‘click and collect’ at Tube and rail stations
- devolving Vehicle Excise Duty to the mayor
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