The Mayor of London said the scheme “will not be implemented in London”; Photo: Mark Kerrison/Alami
Sadiq Khan has been accused of “conspiring” with Labor councils in London to introduce per-mile pricing after it emerged that nearly 10 town halls had backed the road user charging scheme.< /p>
In London's mayoral election on May 2, Mr Khan is in a bitter dispute with his Conservative opponent Susan Hall over whether he plans to introduce per-mile payments.
The Labor mayor is adamant that he has “ruled out” the policy, but the Tories point to various City Hall documents that put forward the idea, as well as a book published by Mr Khan last year in which he mentioned “plans to implement a new, more comprehensive road policy.” -a user charging system.”
Ms Hall's campaign has now pointed to statements from nine London Labor councils that have expressed support for per-mile or road user charging in recent years.
p>For example, last year Hackney Council announced it would be pursuing traffic calming plans that would include “developing options to support distance-based road user charging.”
The council said it wanted to “complete the technical -economic justification”. study to test road user charging,” although it admitted it was “not currently funded.”Susan Hall, the Conservative candidate for London mayor, opposes per-mile payments and the expansion of Ulez. Photo: ZUMAPRESS.com/Avalon
In 2019, Greenwich Council said it supported “Transport for London's shift towards charging for true social and environmental services”. and the economic value of drivers traveling through the Low Emission Zone and the Ultra Low Emission Zone.”
It said that “any future road prices will need to be developed at a London-wide level to reflect the areas people travel through.” “We encourage Transport for London to continue this work,” it added.
In 2019, Islington Council said it would “work with the Mayor of London and surrounding areas to investigate further expansion of road user charging” and Lambeth Council said it would “actively trial and test new and emerging technologies in the transport sector”. sector”, including “targeted road user charging”.
That same year, Lewisham Council stated that “a possible mechanism available to the city in the future could be a form of road user charging”. It states that “any use of this type of tolling must be balanced with the area's desire to reduce rush hour traffic and the needs of area residents and businesses.”
Newham Council said that while it had concerns about the “phased introduction of road charges on a borough-by-borough basis, we would certainly support a similar traffic calming scheme across London which would also generate much-needed funds for public transport and active activity.” tourist investments in the capital.”
Redbridge Council has highlighted “road user charging” among “potential future funding sources” and Tower Hamlets Council has pledged to “work with TfL and neighboring boroughs to develop proposals for the next generation of road user charging”.
< img src="/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/292c057165d122da0d8bd93a7d117930.jpg" /> Anti-Ulez protesters in Trafalgar Square on April 15, 2023. Photo: Martin Pope/Getty Images
Barking and Dagenham Council has also previously said that “supports the Mayor and TfL in exploring the potential for rolling out toll charging on roads across London.”
Ms Hall said: “Sadiq Khan's pay-per-mile plans would be a disaster for London and it is outrageous that Labor councils colluded with him to make them happen.
“To every Londoner We'll have to pay Sadiq Khan for every mile he drives in our city. in line with his plans for which he has already spent £21 million on creating this technology.
“The only way to stop Sadiq Khan's pay-per-mile plans and abandon his Ulez expansion is to vote for me in May 2nd place.”
Mr Khan's spokesman said: “Sadiq has repeatedly and categorically ruled out paying per mile while he is mayor. It will not be introduced in London, despite a desperate campaign of lies and misinformation by the Tories.
“The road user charging scheme was originally proposed by Boris Johnson as mayor and Rishi Sunak as chancellor.
“The gardener has informed the TfL Commissioner in writing that no such scheme will go ahead while he is Mayor.”
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