The London Congestion
Charge
I have always
been in favour of the congestion charge providing it was applied in an
intelligent way to achieve the proper, desirable ends. These are to
reduce traffic congestion that harms the national and London economy,
and raise some money to improve public transport. It is important that
all visitors to London contribute - not just UK residents, not just
London residents or those working in London. The zone was well chosen,
the implementation quite well and in some aspects very well done.
The next stage
needed to be even more intelligent, based on experience, but it seems
it is not. An intelligent approach would be to give some registered
users 3 days a week at the present rate (say Monday, Wednesday
and Friday), and Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday at £10. Others
would have Tuesday and Thursday and Saturday at £5 and Mon, Wed
and Fri at £10. People who did not register or pay by one of the
methods compatible with the running of such a scheme would have to pay
£8. The other special reductions in force would remain.
The result of
the above would be to decrease congestion RADICALLY, making buses more
efficient, deliveries more efficient, and allowing shoppers to shop.
This achieves the desirable and proper ends listed in paragraph one.
Is there something I have overlooked? Why should we not have the right
to intelligent government?
JB November 30th 2004