Congestion Charging

Wandsworth Guardian

Proposal to extend car charge

A controversial idea to extend the congestion charging zone into north Battersea was unveiled this week by the Kennington Association.

The Lambeth residents’ group wants the £5-a-day zone’s boundary extended southwards in an arc from Tower Bridge to Clapham Common North Side, Queenstown Road and Chelsea Bridge.

Such a move would mean Wandsworth borough’s biggest current and future job generators, New Covent Garden and the Battersea Power Station development, would be within the charging zone.

The group, which failed in an last-minute high court challenge to the zone last year, is objecting to London mayor Ken Livingstone’s plans to extend the zone westwards into Kensington.

It argues a bigger slice of south London should be included to prevent communities being split.

But Wandsworth Council said it was opposed to any changes to the zone’s boundaries, arguing that the long-term effects on businesses had not been fully assessed.

It also said the Kennington plan would “divide” the borough, something the council has always argued against.

Transport for London said it had no current plans to extend the congestion zone southwards.

The association now plans to lobby MPs, councillors and Mr Livingstone with its plans.

11:12am Friday 17th October 2003

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