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, Notting 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:
* 8 pounds ($12) if you pay the charge on the day of travel.
* 10 pounds ($15) if you pay the charge on the day after travel.
* 7 pounds ($10.50) for vehicles registered through a fleet account.
EXEMPTIONS
Certain types of vehicle are automatically exempt from the congestion charge. There is no need to register them. These are:
All two wheeled vehicles including motorbikes with sidecars.
* Black cabs licensed with the Public Carriage Office (PCO).
* Mini cabs licensed with the PCO.
* Emergency Service vehicles such as ambulances or fire engines.
* National Health Service (NHS) vehicles that are exempt from road tax.
* Vehicles used by the disabled that are exempt from road tax under the 'disabled' class.
* Vehicles for more than one disabled person (e.g. Dial-A-Ride) exempt from road tax.
* Public transport vehicles with nine or more seats, listed within the taxation classes Buses or Reduced Pollution Buses.
DISCOUNTS
Discounts are available to some drivers or vehicles and some of these discounts are 100 percent. But in order to receive a discount the vehicle or driver must to be registered with TfL.
Eligible for 100 percent Congestion Charge discount are:
* Vehicles powered by an alternative fuel, bi fuel or dual fuel, and not solely by petrol or diesel.
* Electrically propelled vehicles registered with the Driver Licensing and Vehicle Agency (DVLA) and have a fuel type of 'electric'.
* Vehicles with nine or more seats.
* Motor tricycles of one metre or less in width, and two metres or less in length.
* Roadside recovery vehicles registered with the DVLA and have a taxation class of Recovery vehicle'.
* Individual or institution in the European Union that holds a valid Blue Badge.
* Vehicles operated by organisations in the European Economic Area that are accredited to BS EN ISO9001:2000.
In addition, residents who live in or close to the zone may be eligible to a 90 percent discount. If you think you may qualify for any discount, check the TfL site for more information and to download a registration form.
HOW TO PAY
You can pay the charge
* Online
* By text message
* Over the phone
* At a shop
* At a self-service machine
* By post
For full details see the TfL site.
PENALTIES
There is a 120 pound ($180) fine for failing to pay the charge. This reduces to 60 pounds ($90) if paid within 14 days, but increases to 180 ($270) if paid after 28 days.
WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CONGESTION CHARGE?
Mayor Ken Livingstone had intended changes in the congestion charge. Varying the price paid depending on the carbon dioxide emissions of the vehicle. However Mr Livingstone was voted out of office in 2008 and the new Mayor, Boris Johnson has scrapped the changes.
Mayor Johnson has also said that the western extension of congestion zone is to be scrapped but only after public consultations starting summer 2009.
See Transport for London Congestion Charging http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/
(All information is accurate as of 8 December 2008.)