“I really don’t understand why the Mayor is asking the Government for one and a half billion pounds to cover more of London in tarmac, when everyone agrees that the priority should be improved public transport and traffic reduction, “said Jenny.
Whilst welcoming the news that congestion charging is working better than expected, Jenny defended the fact that it will not raise as much money as expected. She is arguing that the predicted shortfall of £563million for 2005/06 in the Mayor’s transport budget is mostly due to lack government financial support rather than the success of congestion charging.
“One of the best things about congestion charging is that it is a tax which people can chosen whether to pay or not. Congestion charging is the opposite of a stealth tax as the whole aim is to encourage drivers to find environmentally friendly ways of not paying it.”
“It is ridiculous for the other parties in the London Assembly to say they are alarmed by the shortfall in funding, when we have all known for ages that the successful expansion of the bus system won’t continue unless the Government continues to fund it. We should be supporting Londoners by pushing hard for more buses and better buses.”
Jenny is calling on all the political groups in the London Assembly to support the successful expansion of the popular bus network.
ENDS