Responding to reports that the London Mayor is considering a lower congestion charge for non peak hours, Jenny Jones said:
"The proposal to vary the charges for cars only makes sense if there is an actual rush hour. In reality the roads of central London are pretty much at their peak all day long. Figures from the first three years of the congestion charge show that the average speed during the morning and evening peak was 10.6mph, whilst the rest of the day it was 10.5mph. It would therefore make no sense to encourage more cars into central London during the day. The most likely result is more traffic and more pollution."
"The London mayor has already stopped the £25 emission charge for gas guzzlers and is aiming to scrap the western extension of the congestion charge. Both of these proposals will mean car drivers paying less, whilst public transport users are paying above inflation fare rises. One of the possible outcomes from car drivers paying a reduced congestion charge during non peak hours is that Transport for London will have even less money to spend on new cycling and walking schemes."
Notes to editors
1) The 2006 London Travel Report (Table 3.2.1 on page 40) produced by Transport for London says:
2003-06 average speeds for central area during morning peak and evening peak is 10.6 mph, whilst off peak is 10.5mph.
2) As the mayor aims to scrap the western extension of the congestion charge, variable charging is likely to apply only to the original central zone, which is why the 2003-2006 figures are most suitable. Increased road work by Thames Water have led to more congestion in recent years, but the impact of this will decline over time and lead to an anticipated return to 2006 average traffic speeds.