Boris Johnson has axed plans to charge gas-guzzlers £25 to drive in the congestion charge zone. This means there will be no increase in charge for drivers of Band G vehicles from October 2008. The B and A and B discount, which would have resulted in thousands of cars driving into the zone for free and adding to congestion, has also been removed. The decision by the Mayor means that the discount for alternative fuel vehicles will remain in place and the existing congestion charge scheme will not be affected.
Ending the charge on the capital’s most polluting vehicles at this stage means that Transport for London will save around £10m that would have gone on implementing the scheme. The move also means Porsche is entitled to have legal costs, estimated at £400,000, paid by TfL after it launched a challenge to the former mayor’s plans. But the car-maker has offered to donate the money it receives to Skidz, a charity that provides young people, particularly those with few advantages, with mechanical skills and training that could lead to future employment.
