Response to [CLICK HERE to read or add to Kennington News]

Kennington is CROSS

Jul 9 2002

By Transport Reporter Oscar Mortali, South London Press

HUNDREDS of banner-wielding south Londoners linked hands to block off Kennington Cross in a symbolic gesture aimed at getting Ken Livingstone to rethink his controversial congestion charging plan.

Chanting "Don't kill Kennington - think again Ken", the crowd carried banners with slogans 'Hands Off Kennington', 'Public Inquiry Now' and "I Want to Breathe".

And thousands more beeped their horns in a show of support as they crawled along in yesterday morning's rush hour.

Protester Julie Glynn vowed: "I'm willing to come down here every Monday morning until this is sorted."

Narrow and largely residential Kennington Lane is one of the boundary roads controversially chosen by London's Mayor as part of his plans to charge drivers £5 per day to drive into central London from next February. But traders and residents insist it will "divide the community in two".

Those living just yards outside the boundary will have to fork out a fiver every day they drive across it, while those lucky enough to live inside get a 90 per cent discount.

Fears have also been voiced about increased pollution, with traffic along Kennington Lane expected to rise by up to 15 per cent, according to Transport for London figures.

Reverend Angus Aagaard, of St Anselm's Church, which lies just inside the boundary, said: "The turnout really shows the strength of feeling. The Mayor promised to listen to the people - this is his chance to do that."

Protest organiser Mark Rogers, of the Kennington Association, added: "People are very upset about this. They don't think congestion charging is a bad thing, but as it stands it has not been thought through. Everybody can understand somewhere like Park Lane being chosen as a boundary, but Kennington Lane is just too narrow."

Vauxhall MP Kate Hoey was roundly applauded when she vowed to keep up the pressure on Mr Livingstone.

And she told the South London Press: "This community wants to show Ken that this boundary is stupid."

A judicial review of the scheme - brought by Westminster council and the Kennington Association - is due to be heard at the High Court on Monday.

Derek Turner, Transport for London's street management director, is the man behind the congestion charging plans and called yesterday's protest 'disappointing'.

He said residents were largely consulted about the plans and added alternative boundaries were "not as practical and would have caused traffic problems throughout Lambeth".

[ Previous | Next ]