Today he returned to Brent, the place where he started his political career in London, to launch his Mayoral campaign.
“In spite of the success of congestion charging, we still need to drastically reduce traffic levels in outer London boroughs, such as Brent. The workplace parking levy will help discourage unnecessary car use as well as raising over £80m per year for public transport improvements. It is aimed at discouraging the fat cat bosses who simply use their cars to drive to work and back home,” said Darren.
The workplace parking scheme is estimated to raise around £80m per year which would be ploughed back into better public transport and improvements for cyclists and pedestrians. The Greens propose to exempt up to four car parking spaces for each company, so that smaller businesses are not adversely affected. Larger companies will be encouraged to adopt “Green Travel Plans”.
“Official figures show that 1,600 people die prematurely and 1,500 are admitted to hospital every year in London because of air pollution. We urgently need to reduce traffic levels and clean up the capital,” continued Darren.
Other anti-traffic measures the Greens are pushing for include:
• Extending the congestion charge to cover the whole of London with three separate zones
• Ending all new roadbuilding and road widening in the capital
• Reducing bus fares and improving public transport
• Cutting the 30mph speed limit to 20mph and ensuring there is a safe route to school for every single school in London
• Reducing the need to travel – working to ensure all vital local services, such as doctors, libraries and post offices within walking distance for everyone
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NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. Darren Johnson is 37 and was selected as the Green Party’s candidate for Mayor of London in May 2003. He was elected to the London Assembly in May 2000 where he is Leader of the Green Party Group. He was also elected to Lewisham Council in May 2002.
2. The Mayoral election will be held on June 10th next year at the same time as the elections for the London Assembly. At the last Assembly elections the Greens scored one of their best ever results in the Party’s history, securing 11.1% of the vote across London and winning three seats on the 25-member Assembly.
3. A number of organisations and large companies are now adopting “Green Travel Plans” in an effort to reduce traffic and give practical support to those employees using public transport, cycling or walking.
For further information and to arrange interviews with Darren Johnson contact: Keith Magnum on 07739 968 825
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