Congestion charge zone is five years old
Date: 20/02/2008 09:29:27
London's congestion charge zone celebrates its fifth anniversary this month with positive results in terms of congestion and pollution.
Transport for London has announced that use of bicycles, buses and the tube has risen to a record high since the zone was implemented.
Congestion in the capital has been cut by eight per cent in the past five years, while use of buses has risen by 45 per cent and cycling as grown by 43 per cent.
"The congestion charge has made London a world leader in doing something about traffic congestion and pollution rather than just talking about it," commented London mayor Ken Livingstone.
Meanwhile, he added that he hoped pollution could be cut further by changes recently announced to the congestion charging scheme.
These include a 100 per cent discount from the levy for those who drive vehicles producing less than 120 grams of CO2 per kilometre and meeting Euro 4 standards.