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At the end of the 20th century London was a global financial centre and an international tourist destination. A great place to go shopping, watch sport or visit the opera. People came to visit and live from all over the world. They came to work, play, learn and shop. But they spent a frustratingly large amount of their time sitting in traffic jams.

By 2000, London's traffic was so bad that London drivers would spend 50 percent of their time sitting, fuming, going nowhere. Each week this cost an estimated 2-4 million pound (US$3-6 million) to say nothing of the health costs of frayed nerves, high blood pressure and road rage. Ken Livingstone was elected London's first Mayor in 2000, with an election pledge to tackle central London traffic problem.

The London congestion charge came into operation on 17 February 2003. It originally covered the area bounded by the Inner London Ring Road. It was extended westward to cover Kensington on 9 February 2007. All net revenue raised by the charge has to be invested by law in improving transport in London.

It costs of 8 pounds (US$12) each day a vehicle enters or travels within the zone. Vehicles are identified using closed circuit TV and automatic number plate recognition software. Fines of between 60 and180 pounds ($90 - $270) are imposed for non-payment of the charge

WHERE IS THE CONGESTION CHARGING ZONE?

The charging zone is a roughly rectangular shaped area of central and west London stretching from Finsbury in the north-east, Noting Hill in the north-west, Chelsea in the south-west and The City in the east. South of the river the zone covers Southwark and Lambeth.

The zone is signposted on approach roads, with alternative routes indicated. Signs and road markings indicate when you are entering or leaving the zone. For a current map of the zone see the Transport for London (TfL) site Congestion Charging Zone Map.

WHEN IS THE CONGESTION CHARGE IN OPERATION?

The charge is active between 7am and 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding English public holidays. In addition, any day falling between Christmas Day and New Year's Day inclusive are designated non-charging days.

WHERE ARE THE CONGESTION CHARGE FREE ROADS

There are two free routes though the zone. One runs north-south through the center of the zone from The Edgware Road through Marble Arch and Hyde Park Corner and on to Vaxhall Bridge. The other is the Westway flyover through Notting Hill.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

For each day a vehicle enters or travels in the zone it costs:
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