‘Sigh of relief’ as Mayor Scraps Western Extension Zone

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Residents believe it will be a 'shot in the arm' for local drivers and businesses

December 24 will be the last day that the controversial Western Extension zone will operate after the Mayor of London announced he is scrapping the scheme.

65 per cent of the 13,000 people who responded to the latest consultation wanted the zone scrapped and the £8 daily toll, which is set to rise to £10, will now only affect central London as the zone is stripped back to its original size.

Gordon Taylor, Chairman of the West London Residents Association, praised today’s decision. He said: “Scrapping WEZ will have a genuinely positive impact on local people. After years of blood, sweat and tears motorists are finally going to be released from this failed experiment.

"It will be a shot in the arm for local drivers and local businesses.”

After it was created the WEZ quickly became known as West London’s Berlin Wall – due to the invisible barrier it created between neighbourhoods.

Transport for London (TfL) has predicted it will lose around £55 million but critics point-out that the extension failed in its central aim of reducing congestion in west London.

 

October 20, 2010