Congestion Charging: a 43% success for cyclists

Traffic levels in the original zone remained stable in 2006, at 21 per cent lower than before the scheme was introduced in 2002, while traffic levels on boundary routes of the original zone have remained comparable to previous years.

Before charging began, some 334,000 vehicles entered the original zone each day. In 2006, around 70,000 fewer vehicles entered the same area each day.

The Congestion Charge scheme generated provisional net revenues of £123m in 2006/07, which TfL spent on further improvements to transport across London. Further analysis of economic trend data continues to demonstrate that there have been no significant impacts from the original scheme on the London economy.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said:

“Congestion Charging has prevented London from grinding to a halt. The charge has meant real reductions in traffic emissions, reduced CO2 emissions, and enhanced safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and has also provided vital funds that have been reinvested in the Capital’s transport network.

“This report shows that, despite the predictions of its opponents, the western extension of the charging zone has been a clear success. Now cities across the world are looking to London as an example in recognition of the fact that ours is the only major city in the world to have achieved a shift away from the private car.”

Within the Congestion Charging zone there has been an increase in cycling of 43 per cent

www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/projectsandschemes/roadsandpublicspaces/2287.aspx#reports