UNITED KINGDOM CONGESTION CHARGES

London is a city defined by its vibrant nature, its colourful history and its people both past and present. It is featured in the news every single day without fail and has served as the nucleus of British life since its origins. The city has almost become its own separate entity in terms of economy, culture and politics due to its evolution over the years and goes hand in hand with the great cities of the world such as New York City, Paris, Rome, Berlin, Tokyo and many more. London varies from many other cities of the world both in the United Kingdom and abroad in the sense that it is much older than many of its famous counterparts and is still influenced by its earliest years in regards to structure and planning. On February 17th 2003, then mayor, Ken Livingston introduced the London congestion charge in an attempt to reduce congestion and in doing so successfully raise investment funds for London’s transport systems. The standard charge currently stands at £11.50 per day with a penalty charge between £65 and £195. The first city in the world to introduce a congestion charge was Singapore in September 1998 with the intention of controlling chronic traffic and reducing traffic jams. Following Singapore’s ground-breaking congestion charge, London was the next to follow in 2003 which then paved the way for other Western cities such as Milan and Stockholm to implement their own congestion charging systems. The London system, while more technically complex than its Singapore counterpart has experienced very similar success and currently stands as the leading congestion charge system in the Western world and sets an example for other Western congestion charge systems in cities such as Milan, Stockholm and San Diego and for those cities yet to introduce their own system. In 2013, Ken Livingstone stated in a BBC interview, how surprised he was at the success of London’s congestion charge system both upon introduction and a decade later. He also stated how he believes many American cities could benefit from implementing their own congestion charge system as in the same interview he states, “If it wasn’t for the Republicans, who control the New York State Assembly, I believe Manhattan Island would most definitely have their own system of congestion charging. Mayor Bloomberg would really like to implement it but he just can’t get the votes.” A similar predicament has been faced closer to home, as close as Manchester, in fact. Ken Livingstone also believes that “political cowardice” is the only thing stopping cities such as Manchester and Birmingham from adopting the congestion charge. Livingstone suggests that Manchester was hindered by nervous political figures opting instead for a referendum rather than introduce the system unanimously. Many people have questioned whether or not the London congestion charge has brought about any significant change or improvement and as you can imagine, this ultimately divides the population’s opinion of the congestion charge. In 2013 Transport for London declared that over the past 10 years, traffic levels have dropped by 10.2% however the journey times have remained flat since 2007, further influencing the dividing opinions with some feeling the congestion charge is a vital measure of traffic control that has greatly improved traffic in London while others feel it is an extortionate and unavoidable cost that brings about little change or improvement. Given the success of the London system in reducing traffic levels, cities such as Manchester and Birmingham are forever debating as to whether or not they should implement a congestion system in their own cities. However, local businesses and citizens who live and work in London have been very vocal about the charge and the detrimental effect it has on business and living in London with such issues as the loss of business and increased cost of living the charge causes at the forefront of their argument. This negative aspect of the congestion charge of course worries the citizens of Manchester and Birmingham. The congestion charge can also be detrimental to independent fleets like us as well as others like us who work on a national scale and therefore would be forced to deal with multiple congestion charges if it was implemented in other British cities. Although, it is suggested that the congestion charge makes day-to-day travel easier for fleets given the lack of congestion in the areas that suffered from congestion prior to the charge and some then feel it is a reasonable price to pay for improved travel. Congestion charging is a constantly recurring feature of the news in Britain and the subject of debate, scrutiny and praise. The rumors of a similar charge being implemented into other British cities suffering from congestion are strife with Manchester and Birmingham currently standing as the most likely candidates but no city is “safe” from a potential congestion charge, as it were, with local governments endlessly suggesting the introduction of a charge to curb congestion, fund transport improvements and improve the environment. Here at Vantastec, we’re interested in hearing your thoughts on congestion charging in the United Kingdom, whether you agree or disagree with it and if it affects you or someone you know professionally or personally, so let us know your thoughts! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @Vantastec1 and “like” us on Facebook!