Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London, has suggested the charge return to pre-pandemic hours.
London’s congestion charge could be scrapped in the evenings in a bid to support the capital’s night-time businesses and culture.
Yesterday (29 July), Mayor Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TFL) put forward new proposals for sustainable travel in central London. The main plans include no congestion charges in the evenings in efforts to boost London’s recovery from the pandemic, and make traffic flow smoother and public transport routes more reliable. During the week, charges would operate between 7am and 6pm, with weekend hours of operation between 12pm and 6pm. The daily charge remains at £15, following an increase from £11.40 last June. This is despite initial claims that the increase was a temporary measure brought in to help support the capital’s transport network.
“As we look to the future it’s vital the charge strikes the right balance between supporting London’s economic recovery and helping ensure it is a green and sustainable one,” says Khan. “These proposals support the capital’s culture, hospitality and night-time businesses which have struggled so much, as well as encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport.”
Other plans include the reintroduction of a 90% discount for central London residents, after it was suspended to new residents in August last year. The charge would also be suspended between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day every year.
Speaking on the new proposals in a statement, Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd said: “We warmly welcome this step on the congestion charge by the Mayor of London. Grassroots music venues in London desperately need all the help they can get to recover from the impact of this crisis.”
“The Mayor has been consistent in his support for live music right from the first days of the pandemic and throughout the last 18 months, and this is another sensible measure that encourages artists and audiences to come together as we try to Revive Live.”
You can comment on the new proposals via a public consultation on the TFL website. This will run until 6 October. If the proposed plans are taken forward following the consultation, the changes to hours will take place on 28 February, 2022.
Earlier this month, Khan announced that he planned to go clubbing when lockdown restrictions eased. Find out more here.
