Urgent! Help keep the air clean and roads safer in central London

Share this article share on facebook share on twitter

Two campaigning organisations have issued urgent appeals to respond to the Mayor of London's consultation on temporary changes to the Central London Congestion Charge and support the proposals, in order to help prevent the return of heavy traffic with consequent implications for air quality and increased road danger.

The appeal has been made by Mum's For Lungs, a group set up to try to protect schoolchildren from toxic traffic fumes, and London Living Streets, which brings together London members of the charity which campaigns to rebalance the interests of road users. They are asking supporters to email the Mayor before the deadline for responses, which is tomorrow (Thursday 4th June) - but they say that responses which don't quite make this short deadline will also be useful.

Fighting for clean air in London - 1 minute for change, please!

Dear all,

imageI am sorry about emailing so shortly again: BUT this is urgent. Right now we can see the traffic increasing again dramatically, air pollution across China back up to pre-lockdown levels and Europe might follow. TfL is doing a consultation (DEADLINE TOMORROW, THURSDAY). Proposed changes:

  • Increasing the daily charge to £15 and removing the £1 Auto Pay and Fleet discounts
  • Extending the charging hours to 07:00-22:00, seven days a week
  • Closing the Residents' Discount to new applicants

All other existing exemptions and discounts will not be affected, including reimbursements for NHS and care home workers.

For more details see here:  tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge

But if you support these changes, please send a quick email to – a simple email saying: “I support the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge.” would suffice.

One quick email – and perhaps ask another 2 people to do the same. As always – the opposition is likely to be better organised than us…

Kind regards and thank you for all your support,

Jemima

living streets group londonLondon Living Streets suggest that people should respond along the following lines:

"I strongly support the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge. They are vital that if Central London is to maintain its recent good air quality, to reduce road danger and retain, maintain the high numbers of people walking and cycling.

"This increase to £15 remains extremely modest owing to a lack of increase in recent years. The proposed changes in charging times are justified to encourage people to feel confident and safe on the streets of Central London.

"The maintenance of the charge at weekends is also essential as people walking and cycling are using Central London in greater numbers on Saturdays and Sundays as summer approaches.

"I also support closing the residents' discount to new applicants."

Links

Have your say on temporary changes to the Congestion Charge

Mums for Lungs

London Living Streets

Log in to comment