Motorists, Equity & Unity Party
Opinion Column Archives
29. Congestion Charge in London
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The congestion charge area was expanded westward taking in Chelsea and Kensington in February 2007.
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has since made pronouncements that they will be targetting
4 X 4’s instead (£25), and small cars will be able to enter the ‘C’ zone without charge. This is due to be implemented in 2009 - Mayoral elections to be held in May 2008.
It would seem rather obvious that owners of 4 X 4’s are going to be seriously tempted to have a runabout for use in London thereby circumventing the £25 charge ! This would seem to be a suicidal move, traffic wise, since we will be returning to the original situation in the Capital, namely thousands of vehicles with difficulty to find parking spaces.
The Motorists Equity & Unity Party proposed, before the introduction of the C.C., a system operated on the basis of Registration Plate Numbers and the date of entry to the Capital known as the Even Number Plate/Even Date system. This system would automatically exclude vehicles with Reg. Plate numbers that weren’t EVEN on EVEN dates, and similarly, ODD on ODD dates. This system effectively reduces the traffic by approximately 33%.
A modification of the present C.C. system could be introduced that would permit vehicles obeying the above principle to enter the C.C. zone free of charge. Any drivers wishing to enter on other days would be liable to the congestion charge, and their number plate evidence would be available to support any follow-up for those that have not paid the charge. (The likely take-up for vehicles wishing to enter on the wrong day would be quite a small percentage and therefore unlikely to produce congestion problems.)
With the present system the traffic levels have increased considerably, since it is basically a divisive charge, enabling the well-off to enter the zone whenever they wish, whereas the less well off are kept at bay. Any system that effects the populace should be based on equality regardless of wealth. The ODDS and EVENS system is the answer to this equality issue, since it is based solely on the Registration Plate details rather than the size of Bank Accounts.
When we opposed the introduction of the Congestion Charge via various London Media those in favour of the charge argued that car owners would simply have two vehicles with an ODD number plate and one with an EVEN number plate. With the parking problems that Londoners as well as those living in the suburbs have, the percentage of owners that would go to such lengths would be minimal. Unfortunately the pro-Congestion Charge supporters won the day.
Meanwhile the shops and cafes that were once frequented on a regular basis have lost a considerable number of their once regular customers.
Since the road markings and cameras are already installed it would seem prudent to move to the system we are recommending which will enable the British public to visit their capital, in a responsible way, by using the ODDS and EVENS system, not only to avoid traffic congestion but also, of course, to save having to pay the charge !
The other advantage with the system is that those that need to enter the Capital on a regular basis can arrange with their colleagues to share vehicles thereby carrying more than one passenger, sharing costs, and helping with the reduction of congestion and pollution. Quite simply, one has a vehicle with an ODD number plate, and the other has a vehicle with an EVEN number plate, halving their weekly running costs !
The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone has since made pronouncements that they will be targetting
4 X 4’s instead (£25), and small cars will be able to enter the ‘C’ zone without charge. This is due to be implemented in 2009 -
It would seem rather obvious that owners of 4 X 4’s are going to be seriously tempted to have a runabout for use in London thereby circumventing the £25 charge ! This would seem to be a suicidal move, traffic wise, since we will be returning to the original situation in the Capital, namely thousands of vehicles with difficulty to find parking spaces.
The Motorists Equity & Unity Party proposed, before the introduction of the C.C., a system operated on the basis of Registration Plate Numbers and the date of entry to the Capital known as the Even Number Plate/Even Date system. This system would automatically exclude vehicles with Reg. Plate numbers that weren’t EVEN on EVEN dates, and similarly, ODD on ODD dates. This system effectively reduces the traffic by approximately 33%.
A modification of the present C.C. system could be introduced that would permit vehicles obeying the above principle to enter the C.C. zone free of charge. Any drivers wishing to enter on other days would be liable to the congestion charge, and their number plate evidence would be available to support any follow-
With the present system the traffic levels have increased considerably, since it is basically a divisive charge, enabling the well-
When we opposed the introduction of the Congestion Charge via various London Media those in favour of the charge argued that car owners would simply have two vehicles with an ODD number plate and one with an EVEN number plate. With the parking problems that Londoners as well as those living in the suburbs have, the percentage of owners that would go to such lengths would be minimal. Unfortunately the pro-
Meanwhile the shops and cafes that were once frequented on a regular basis have lost a considerable number of their once regular customers.
Since the road markings and cameras are already installed it would seem prudent to move to the system we are recommending which will enable the British public to visit their capital, in a responsible way, by using the ODDS and EVENS system, not only to avoid traffic congestion but also, of course, to save having to pay the charge !
The other advantage with the system is that those that need to enter the Capital on a regular basis can arrange with their colleagues to share vehicles thereby carrying more than one passenger, sharing costs, and helping with the reduction of congestion and pollution. Quite simply, one has a vehicle with an ODD number plate, and the other has a vehicle with an EVEN number plate, halving their weekly running costs !
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