(posted 7911 days ago)South London Press
Battle to stop Ken Livingstone's congestion scheme dismissed
Jul 31 2002A bid to stop Ken Livingstone's scheme to charge motorists £5 to drive into central London has been dismissed in the High Court.
Westminster Council and the Kennington Association, with the backing of Kensington and Chelsea borough council, were asking a judge the High Court in London to block the congestion-charging project.
It is set to be introduced in February.
During a recent six-day hearing, the scheme was condemned as unlawful and likely to increase air pollution and adversely affect the quality of city life.
Mr Justice Maurice Kay told a packed court: "Westminster's application for a judicial review has been dismissed and the Kennington residents' application for permission to apply for a judicial review has been refused."
Mr Livingstone, has already had to abandon his High Court challenge to the Government's part privatisation of the Tube with a legal costs bill unofficially estimated at up to £4 million.