April 14, 2008. Copyright 2008, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Election may stop London congestion charge arguments
By Neil Winton

LONDON, April 14, Graphic News:  Socialist London Mayor Ken Livingstone says the extra congestion charge on gas-guzzlers is essential to curb pollution and save the planet from global warming, but critics say this is a thinly-disguised blunt instrument to gouge more tax from people, not to mention blatant class warfare.

Livingstone has announced that from next October, the most ÒpollutingÓ cars will have to pay £25 (31 euros) to enter central London. Regular cars will still pay £8 (10 euros). Extremely fuel efficient cars, petrol-electric hybrids and taxis will pay nothing. Other cities around the world have introduced congestion charges, including Singapore and Stockholm. Milan and Geneva are thinking about it. New York City planned to, but the state parliament blocked the move.
Environmentalists are rallying to the cause.

ÒThe top fee of £25 is about discouraging the most polluting vehicles, particularly SUVs which have no place on city streets. ItÕs about sending a message to carmakers to get their act together and start producing much more efficient cars, to save on fuel bills, and help protect the environment,Ó says Jos Dings, director of the Brussels-based Transport and Environment (T&E) lobby group.

ThatÕs garbage, say critics, who point out modern cars emit very little pollution because of catalytic converters. Supporters of congestion charges like Livingstone say cars which emit the most carbon dioxide (CO2) must pay the most, but omit to say that CO2 isnÕt a pollutant. Think human respiration. Plants flourish as CO2 increases. Some scientists say massive amounts of CO2 produced in the modern world are causing global warming, but the amount of CO2 curbed by LivingstoneÕs extra tax would be barely measurable.

German sports car maker Porsche has taken Livingstone to court, saying the £25 tax wonÕt cut CO2 emissions much, will deter businesses from London, and is simply unfair. It points out that the tax would not only hit massive SUVs like Porsche Cayennes and Range Rovers, and limousines like Rolls Royces, but would also penalise families on the school run driving modest people carriers like the Vauxhall Zafira, Renault Espace, and Suzuki Grand Vitara.

Others say the congestion charge generally has been introduced to cover up woefully low infrastructure spending in London, and seeks to end traffic jams by forcing the poor off the roads. Some say Livingstone, by socking it to what he would call greedy, irresponsible, rich people in gas-guzzling SUVs, is grandstanding ahead of the London mayoral election.

But T&EÕs Dings says congestion charges and road pricing are here to stay. ÒIf Europe is ever going to find its way out of the congestion problem, road pricing has to be a part of the solution. Urban schemes are successfully improving congestion, air quality and public health. The facts speak for themselves,Ó he says.
The argument in London though may turn out to be moot. If Livingstone is defeated in the election on May 1 his main rival, Conservative Boris Johnson, has said he will dump the £25 charge.
/ENDS