by Sangeeta Deogawanka

Created on: December 08, 2008   Last Updated: January 15, 2009

With transport featuring high in the priority list of the new Mayor of London, commuters and visitors are geared up for some landmark changes as proposed by his Transport for London (TfL)plan. Though most of the sweeping changes are to be implemented in 2009, there is some good news too for those who were bracing themselves for higher congestion charges, before the winters.

These are some of the things you need to know to move around London, so you don't get hit with a penalty around the corner:

CONGESTION CHARGE ZONES

Certain vehicles which drive within the specified Congestion Charging Zone of central London during the hours of operation are required to pay a daily congestion charge. Though this charge was introduced to deter traffic in Central London during peak hours, the irony is that traffic congestion still continues.

Congestion Charging Zone includes

City of London

Extended Westward to embrace Bayswater, Notting Hill, North and South Kensington, Knightsbridge, Chelsea, Brompton, Belgravis, Pimlico, Victoria, St. James's, Waterloo, Borough, Clerkenwell, Finsbury, Holborn, Bloomsbury, Soho, Mayfair and parts of Marylebone.

No charges for driving on the Congestion Charging Zone Boundary roads around the zone.

Routes where vehicles can cross the zone during charging hours without paying include the Westway A 40, and the Edgware Road A 5, Park Lane A 4202 and Vauxhall Bridge Roads running North-South.

You will know the moment you enter or leave a Congestion Charging Zone when you see the sign on the road or at the side, displaying a large "C" symbol that you just can't miss !

If you are expecting barriers or toll booths, you are in for a surprise, as the scheme is a pre-paid one.

When the Zone ends, you see the sign with a large-lettered struck-off "C" symbol.

CONGESTION CHARGE FEES

Congestion Charge becomes payable only for vehicles driving through the Zone during the charging hours

Charging hours of operation are 07:00 and 18:00 hours, Monday to Friday. You can relax over the weekends, English public holidays and designated non-charging days when these charges are not applicable. So, Christmas Day through New Year, you can roll through Central London without paying charges or wondering when a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN) will hit you.

Currently Congestion Charges payable daily are 8, payable in advance (upto 90 days) or before midnight on the day of travel.

You can also pay after traveling in the zone by midnight on the same day, but with additional fine of 2.

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