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Home > Motoring > Motoring Costs > Congestion Charging > London Congestion Charge >

London Congestion Charge

The AA's view

The AA does not oppose the scheme in principle because the Mayor twice sought and won a mandate.

The AA did promise to act as watchdog however and was highly critical of the lack of a public inquiry, the haste in which the scheme was introduced and the lack of clear answers to a range of technical concerns.

What the AA's said and done

In 1997 London's new governance was being planned. With London embarking on a new political path the AA sought its members' views on London's transport system – these and the AA's views were reported in New Leadership for London – Transport in the Capital.

In 1998 the Government Office for London set up the Road User Charging Options for London (ROCOL) group. The group was formed to examine the issues and provide advice to the future Mayor. The AA was an influential member of the group and challenged it on some of the key issues.

In 2000 London's first Mayor was elected. Soon after he published his congestion charging proposals. The AA's response was made in September 2000 Congestion Charging in London – The Views of the AA.

In late 2000 the Mayor published his draft Transport Strategy. The AA published its response in March 2001, The Mayor's Draft Transport Strategy – The Views of the AA. In mid 2001 Transport for London published the congestion charging scheme order.

In Autumn 2001 the AA commissioned further research on congestion charging and published the results, Motorists Views on London's Congestion Charging Scheme.

In September 2001 the AA lodged a technical objection to the scheme The Greater London (Central Zone) Congestion Charging Order 2001 – the AA's letter to Transport for London formally objecting to the scheme order.

In mid 2002 Westminster City Council and some residents of Kennington challenged the Mayor's scheme in the High Court – the AA submitted its views to the court, in particular it called for a limited public inquiry, The AA's Written Evidence Submitted to the High Court in the Mayor and the Citizens of Westminster v The Mayor of London case. The scheme was allowed to proceed but the judge agreed that a prudent mayor would have held a public inquiry.

Further information

For further information about London congestion charging, the exemptions, and penalties, visit www.cclondon.com (link opens a new window)