Council Rows with Mayor over Congestion Zone
"Western extension might not be scrapped"
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is once again at odds with Mayor Boris Johnson over the scrapping of the Western extension of the Congestion Zone, or WEZ.
The council is warning that it is possible the unpopular WEZ might not be scrapped, despite repeated assurances from the Mayor.
The warning comes after a residents' group complained that the latest question on ditching the WEZ is 'disguised' as part of the Mayor of London's 350 page Transport Strategy.
Consultation on the strategy, which covers a variety of transport challenges facing the capital, began in October with little fanfare, according to the West London Residents' Association.
Gordon Taylor, chairman of the association says: " I am deeply concerned that the vast majority of my members are completely unaware that the biggest transport question facing west London is part of this consultation.
"It is also bizarre that Transport for London say they need to conduct two more consultations before they can scrap the extension. Londoners have spoken and we do not want the WEZ.
" There is a suspicion that some factions within TfL are trying to engineer a different outcome on the extension by burying the question in some impenetrable document that no one knows about."
Uncertainty over the future of WEZ has been increased by an email sent to the council by Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor's Advisor on Transport and TfL's Director for Transport Policy. He wrote: "If the proposal, in the draft Transport Strategy, to remove the WEZ is confirmed, a variation order will be made to remove the WEZ. However, further public consultation on the variation order would be required. If this is confirmed then the removal of the WEZ is likely to take place by December 2010."
Hammersmith and Fulham Council is now calling for an urgent meeting with officials from TFL over continuing delays and the need for further consultations.
Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Council Deputy Leader, said: "We will not allow TfL to take their foot off the pedal. The extension has not worked but it appears that TfL are stalling on scrapping the extension as they can see the revenue streaming in - straight out of west Londoners' pockets.
"TfL should stop inventing tedious bureaucratic road blocks and get on with delivering what Londoners want - the dismantling of the extension."
TfL announced its intention to ditch the WEZ last November after 67 per cent of residents and 86 per cent of businesses said they wanted it removed. The Mayor has assured people it will be
Cllr Nicholas Botterill, H&F Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "Londoners have already been asked about the extension and a clear majority want it scrapped. Many of us are now asking ourselves why we are being asked the same question again. This is not the end of it either as I understand a third consultation is also on the cards, if Londoners give the same answer we gave last time."
Transport for London have stated that the consultations are "a legal requirement" before ending the extension.
The consultation on the Mayor's Transport Strategy runs until January 12, 2010.
Residents can have their say by by calling 0800 093 5808, or online at Have your say.
There is also a consultation event on the Mayor's Transport Strategy taking place at the W12 Shopping Centre this Friday, November 27 between 9am and 7pm.
November 18, 2009
