Congestion Zone update

Congestion Zone update

Tuesday November 17, 2009

The Western Extension of the Congestion Zone (WEZ) might not be scrapped if the results of TfL's latest consultation show that respondents want to keep it.

The future of the WEZ was thrown into doubt after a crucial question on whether it should be scrapped was buried in a massive consultation document that few people are aware of, H&F Council warned this week.

An influential residents' group has complained to the council that the latest question on ditching the WEZ is 'disguised' as part of the Mayor of London's 350 page Transport Strategy.

The mega-consultation - which covers a variety of transport challenges facing the capital over the next 20 years - began in October with little fanfare, according to the West London Residents' Association.

Gordon Taylor, Chairman of the West London Residents' Association, says: "I am deeply concerned that the vast majority of my members are completely unaware that the biggest transport question facing west London is part of this consultation.

"It is also bizarre that TfL say they need to conduct two more consultations before they can scrap the extension. Londoners have spoken and we do not want the WEZ. There is a suspicion that some factions within TfL are trying to engineer a different outcome on the extension by burying the question in some impenetrable document that no one knows about."

Transport for London (TfL) announced its intention to ditch the WEZ last November after 67 per cent of residents and 86 per cent of businesses said they wanted it removed. H&F Council has consistently campaigned against the extension ever since it was proposed.

Official figures show the extension brings in nearly £70 million a year to TfL coffers and, although it is unquestionably a lucrative cash cow, the extension has had no effect on reducing congestion in H&F.

Before the extension was added in February 2007, a TfL study proved that H&F had the most congested roads in London with a mind numbing 7.6 million hours lost in traffic. Nearly three years later, H&F still has the most congested roads in the capital.

Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Londoners have already been asked about the extension and a clear majority want it scrapped. Many of us are now asking ourselves why we are being asked the same question again. This is not the end of it either as I understand a third consultation is also on the cards, if Londoners give the same answer we gave last time."

Last year H&F Council called on TfL to invoke emergency powers which would have allowed the extension to be scrapped immediately. The council argued that the recession could be classed as a major event under the GLA Act 1999 which would have allowed the cameras to be turned off immediately.

Shops and businesses across the borough have said the extension had crippled them in recent years. Residents have complained about being forced to pay £8 every time they want to access vital services like schools and hospitals.

In an email sent to the council, Kulveer Ranger - TfL's Director for Transport Policy - wrote: "If the proposal, in the draft Transport Strategy, to remove the WEZ is confirmed, a variation order will be made to remove the WEZ. However, further public consultation on the variation order would be required. If this is confirmed then the removal of the WEZ is likely to take place by December 2010."

The council is so concerned about the lack of pace surrounding the scrapping of the extension that it has called an emergency meeting with TfL officials.

Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Deputy Leader, said: "We will not allow TfL to take their foot off the pedal. The extension has not worked but it appears that TfL are stalling on scrapping the extension as they can see the revenue streaming in - straight out of west Londoners' pockets.

"TfL should stop inventing tedious bureaucratic road blocks and get on with delivering what Londoners want - the dismantling of the extension."

"The maximum benefit to struggling shops, businesses and residents will come from cutting through the red-tape and ditching this failed experiment now."

The consultation on the Mayor's Transport Strategy runs until 12 January, 2010. Residents can have their say by clicking on www. london. gov. uk/shaping-london/ or by calling 0800 093 5808. There is also a TfL consultation event at the W12 Shopping Centre on Friday 27 November, between 9:00am-7:00pm.

Air your views on WEZ

Thursday December 10, 2009

A prominent residents' association is encouraging local people to once again air their views on the future of the Western Extension of the Congestion Charge Zone (WEZ).

The second of the three consultations required to get rid of the WEZ started in October and the West London Residents' Association is warning that the zone might not be scrapped if too few people vote in the current consultation.

This time the question on the abolition of the WEZ is part of a larger questionnaire about the Mayor of London's Transport Strategy.

Gordon Taylor, Chairman of West London Residents Association, says: "Having voted once to scrap the extension many residents are asking why we have to vote twice more? The simple answer is that the legislation governing the GLA was set up this way and has to be followed so I am encouraging everyone who opposes the WEZ to make their views known yet again."

Official figures show the extension brings in nearly £70 million a year to TfL coffers and, although it is unquestionably a lucrative cash cow, the extension has had no affect on reducing congestion in H&F. Before the extension was added in February 2007, an official transport study proved that H&F had the most congested roads in London with a frustrating 7.6 million hours lost in traffic. Nearly three years later, there is nothing to show that the situation has improved.

Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Deputy Leader, said: "As we predicted the biggest losers following the introduction of the WEZ have been H&F residents as we have had all the problems, like drivers skirting around the edge of the extension in an attempt to avoid the charge, without any benefits.

"As many local people as possible need to make their views known as the maximum benefit to struggling shops, businesses and residents will come from ditching this failed experiment sooner rather than later."

Click on www.london.gov.uk/shaping-london (opens new window) to have your say. Respondents can fill in as little or as much as they want and do not have to give personal details. Hardcopy questionnaires can also be requested by calling 0800 093 5808. The closing date for responses is January 12, 2010.

The West London Residents Association will be setting up a stall, with questionnaires to fill out, outside the Kings Mall Shopping Centre in Hammersmith on Saturday (19 December).