Britain:Drivers of high-powered sports cars and 4x4s will be hit by a new £25 (€34) charge every time they enter central London under plans to reduce congestion and cut pollution across the British capital.
The London mayor, Ken Livingstone, said about 30,000 of the worst polluting vehicles would face a threefold price rise from October, while the most environmentally friendly cars would be able to enter the congestion zone free of charge.
"The CO2 charge will encourage people to switch to cleaner vehicles or public transport and ensure that those who choose to carry on driving the most polluting vehicles help pay for the environmental damage they cause," said Mr Livingstone.
"This is the 'polluter pays' principle. At the same time, the 100 per cent discount for the lowest CO2 emitting vehicles will give drivers an incentive to use the least polluting cars available." Livingstone said the new charge was part of a package of measures, including the introduction of a clean air zone and a £500 million investment in walking and cycling, that would help London reduce its CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 2025.
However, motoring organisations and political opponents said the plans would penalise motorists without reducing pollution.
About 150,000 cars enter the congestion zone in central London each day, of which 30,000 will fall under the new pollution charge. The mayor says he expects a 30 per cent drop in the number of these vehicles with the revenue, predicted to be between £30 million and £50 million a year, helping to pay for radical improvements to cycling and walking announced earlier this week.
"I have every sympathy with a Scottish hill farmer who needs his 4x4 to get around," said Mr Livingstone.
"But there is absolutely no justification for cars producing high amounts of pollution being driven in central London." Green campaigners welcomed the move. Tony Juniper, of Friends of the Earth, said: "Charging gas-guzzling vehicles more to drive in central London is extremely welcome and supported by most Londoners."
Yesterday Mr Livingstone said 71 per cent of Londoners were in favour of the £25 charge. But critics warned that allowing the cleanest cars into the zone for free could see a rise in the number of people driving into central London.
- (Guardian service)