Western Extension abolition welcomed by Caroline Pidgeon (Newham Borough Liberal Democrats)

Newham Borough Liberal Democrats <info@libdems.org.uk>

Western Extension abolition welcomed by Caroline Pidgeon

May 24, 2010 12:21 PM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Caroline Pidgeon, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly transport spokesperson, has welcomed today's statutory public consultation to London's Congestion Charge which is proposing that the Western Extension is ended by Christmas, Auto Pay accounts made simpler and that the vehicle discount should apply only to more greener cars.

Commenting on the proposed changes Caroline Pidgeon said:

"I welcome the final removal of the Western Extension from Congestion Charging which has penalised an area quite different to the initial Congestion Zone. It is also good news that the 100 per cent discount will in future only apply to cars that emit not just low levels of CO2 but also low levels of other harmful emissions that affect the health of so many Londoners.

"However, it would be madness to simply rip up the cameras in the Western Extension zone at a cost of £5 million. There is now a golden opportunity to put these cameras to good use to improve London's air quality. After giving time for the most polluted cars to be cleaned up we should then start using the cameras to prevent the most polluting diesel vehicles entering central London."

ENDS