News RSS Feed


Does Ken want more congestion zones?

8:37am Tuesday 11th March 2008

comment Comments (27)   Have your say »


Ken Livingstone is secretly planning to extend congestion charging to Sutton, Croydon, Kingston and Hounslow, according to The Times.

According to the report, Transport for London identified areas the areas in 2006 that might benefit from congestion charging.

The newspaper says a source close to Mr Livingstone said TfL was developing plans to introduce charging to other congested parts of the capital "but was under strict orders not to disclose anything before polling day".

Mr Livingstone yesterday launched his transport manifesto, which did not include any mention of the new congestion zones.

Instead it included plans to take over Croydon tramlink and extend it to Crystal Palace, allowing pensioners and the disabled to travel free on public transport 24 hours a day, putting 500 hybrid buses on the road by 2010 and introducing the £25 CO2 charge for gas guzzlers driving into central London.

Mr Livingstone says all replacement buses will be hybrids by 2012, cutting CO2 emissions by 40 per cent.

Other plans include: New technology to allow Oyster Pay As You Go top-up via mobile phones 20mph zones around schools and on residential streets to reduce death and injury 4,000 satellite-linked bus stop information signs Continued free travel for under 18s on the buses A central London bike hire scheme with 6,000 bikes available every 300m and free to use for the first half hour Mr Livingstone said the biggest job facing London's mayor was delivering existing projects including the £16billion Crossrail scheme and £1billion a year of Tube improvements.

Print article » Email to a friend »

Your Say YourCroydon Guardian

....., morden says...
9:40am Tue 11 Mar 08

any way to get more money out of the people

Report this post »

ric, kingston says...
11:09am Tue 11 Mar 08

if he extends it to kingston.

i will run him over.

Report this post »

this is getting silly, sutton says...
11:50am Tue 11 Mar 08

ric, i couldn't agree with you more. money grubbing ken flies inthe face of democracy. i do't won a car but i know those who do work hard to pay for them and all the taxes that go with that and the taxes we all pay already go to the government, it's like being taxed twice for the same thing. you pay road tax, for the car, the gas, the lessons, and all the taxes fro all this already go to payng for the right to drive anywhere you wish as long as you are safe, careful, and responsible. where's the human rights? the country is overtaxed as it is, why allow more taxing....people need to stand up to ken and vote this weirdo out. he's destroying the identity of london in so many ways. next i'm sure he'll make all the post boxes grey just to take away more of what london is known for. postcards from london will, by law, only show pictures of him in front of the gerkin building. his silliness costs us money and doesn't add to london at all. it makes no sense to take away business from sutton/kingston. we're in the suburbs, in surrey, not london, why does ken have the right to boss us around?

Report this post »

Kyle, Halifax, CA says...
12:22pm Tue 11 Mar 08

This begs the question, "Who are the people voting for this guy?"
I am surprised that the whole of England hasn't been slapped with a congestion charge by now plus a tax on the air you breathe!

Report this post »

Sam, Kensington says...
12:47pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Ken Livingston (Dick Turpin) what a thief!he must be trying to collect back the money that his LOYAL thieving Lee Jasper stole??. Vote for Brian Paddick.

Report this post »

tonyb, Sutton says...
1:43pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Use your vote to get him out in May is the answer.Dont vote for Paddick as the Lib Dems will tax you just as much as Ken.Sutton, Kingston and Richmond have the highest Council Tax rises, and they are all Lib Dem.

Report this post »

Col, Sutton says...
2:06pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Seems like there is not much point in voting for anyone - they all seem to want the same thing, more money and more power.

As for voting for Brian Paddick - I swear I read somewhere that he wanted to introduce a congestion charge to Greater London.

Report this post »

JohnDoe, Surrey says...
2:35pm Tue 11 Mar 08

What we need is a revolution. Too long has the scourge of this country been leading it. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. Rise up my friends and break the shackles of our illegal government.

Report this post »

ric, kingston says...
4:29pm Tue 11 Mar 08

john is right. the only way these idiots will listen is if everyone sticks together.

thats how unions work. take the trains for example. they demand more money and less working hours and they get it because its work more to the owners that they dont strike.

imagine threating the government. tell them what we want. and if they dont do it. no one goes to work. see how quickly they change it then.

the french did it. i hate the french but i respect them a lot for that.

we're too easy to forget in this country. carry on getting walked on. because thats what english people do.

im just going to have to think of a way to do it. lol.

stand up people. fight the power.

Report this post »

Lisa, Croydon says...
5:37pm Tue 11 Mar 08

He can f##k right off! I would much rather travel by car any day that travel on public transport! Until transport and safety on them is improved, he can stick his congestion zones up his ar#e!

Report this post »

JohnDoe, Surrey says...
5:56pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Thank you ric:
Everyone needs to realise that they are in power because we put them there. We are even better placed to remove them. In scores of other countries the world over if something is to the dislike of the people they revolt. What is wrong with this country that it seems unable to grasp this concept. The government and its officials are awarded special priveledges for running the country on our behalf. If they do not do this or can not do this then they should be removed, with force if the need be. We are millions they are thousands you do the math.
Stand Up, unite and start the fight.

Report this post »

Kes, Upper Norwood says...
7:51pm Tue 11 Mar 08

Let's face it, if cuddly Ken gets back again then we deserve everything he throws at us over the next few years. My main complaint against him is his council tax element, which has shot up since the London Mayor was dreamt up by New Labour. But how many of those who vote for him pay council tax, or full council tax. It might help if he was made to collect his precept rather than billing London boroughs who then get the blame.

Report this post »

C MAY, BIGGIN HILL says...
8:08pm Tue 11 Mar 08

LETS JUST CARRY ON TILL GRIDLOCK WE CANT CARRY ON AS WE ARE NOSE TO TAIL TRAFIC CARS WITH I PERSON IN RIDICULOUS ITS LIVINGSTONE FOR ME ON MAY THE IST

Report this post »

Bob Peel, Croydon says...
7:42am Wed 12 Mar 08

Kyle wrote:
This begs the question, "Who are the people voting for this guy?"
I am surprised that the whole of England hasn't been slapped with a congestion charge by now plus a tax on the air you breathe!
In answer to your question look at Lee Jasper. He wasn't selected because of his skills - he attracts voters of the smae ethnicity. Hopefully our non-white brethren have seen through Livingstone's smarmy politics and cast a vote based on correct values.

Report this post »

Den, Wallington says...
8:35am Wed 12 Mar 08

C MAY wrote:
LETS JUST CARRY ON TILL GRIDLOCK WE CANT CARRY ON AS WE ARE NOSE TO TAIL TRAFIC CARS WITH I PERSON IN RIDICULOUS ITS LIVINGSTONE FOR ME ON MAY THE IST
Has it occured to you that some people have no choice other than to use their car? You probably don't own a car and probably get your Council tax paid by the Government as well.
Either that or you have too much money.

Report this post »

ric, kingston says...
8:45am Wed 12 Mar 08

C MAY wrote:
LETS JUST CARRY ON TILL GRIDLOCK WE CANT CARRY ON AS WE ARE NOSE TO TAIL TRAFIC CARS WITH I PERSON IN RIDICULOUS ITS LIVINGSTONE FOR ME ON MAY THE IST
i hate people like you. i bet you dont even need a car.

if they put there powers into getting all the illegal people of the road there wouldnt be any traffic.

why dont they do that? because charging people gets them more money.

all these imagrants they let in are clogging up the roads. with no tax and no insurance. the police dont even pull them over. because they say its not worth the hassle.

its the people like me that are totally legal that pick up the fines. parking, congestion, bus lanes. all fines.

some people need there car for work. what you going to get on the bus with your black and decker work mate. sitting with a load of mouthy teenagers that all travel for free.

i would rather get in debt than get the bus.

livingston can kiss my @rse

Report this post »

JohnDoe, Surrey says...
8:48am Wed 12 Mar 08

Den: You are a symptom of what is wrong with this stinking country. Take your tory ar*se and head out to Cornwall. Stop bickering with your fellow citizens and start taking action against this corrupt and greedy government. The dogs at whitehall don't giving a flying hoot about you. It emerged today that 60p out of every pound of petrol goes to the government. How much council tax do you think that would pay. Schmuck!

Report this post »

c may, biggin hill says...
9:56am Wed 12 Mar 08

ric wrote:
C MAY wrote: LETS JUST CARRY ON TILL GRIDLOCK WE CANT CARRY ON AS WE ARE NOSE TO TAIL TRAFIC CARS WITH I PERSON IN RIDICULOUS ITS LIVINGSTONE FOR ME ON MAY THE IST
i hate people like you. i bet you dont even need a car. if they put there powers into getting all the illegal people of the road there wouldnt be any traffic. why dont they do that? because charging people gets them more money. all these imagrants they let in are clogging up the roads. with no tax and no insurance. the police dont even pull them over. because they say its not worth the hassle. its the people like me that are totally legal that pick up the fines. parking, congestion, bus lanes. all fines. some people need there car for work. what you going to get on the bus with your black and decker work mate. sitting with a load of mouthy teenagers that all travel for free. i would rather get in debt than get the bus. livingston can kiss my @rse
i do own a car and i work luckily i have the brains to use a m cycle for my traveling i do own a car as well but something has to be done otherwise were heading for gridlock

Report this post »

Den, Wallington says...
11:50am Wed 12 Mar 08

JohnDoe wrote:
Den: You are a symptom of what is wrong with this stinking country. Take your tory ar*se and head out to Cornwall. Stop bickering with your fellow citizens and start taking action against this corrupt and greedy government. The dogs at whitehall don't giving a flying hoot about you. It emerged today that 60p out of every pound of petrol goes to the government. How much council tax do you think that would pay. Schmuck!
Johndick oh sorry thats doe isn't it an alias for an unknown dead person like your brain.
Firstly I do not vote tory, never have, never will. Wouldn't live in Cornwall if you paid me to.
One thing I do agree with you is the Government is greedy, but no one is prepared to make a stand. I work 63 hours a week to make sure everything me and my children have is paid for by me, I get no benefits and pay all my rent and Council Tax myself. My job involves driving my car, without my car I have no job. I do not need to pay any more money out ie:congestion charge so that I am able to work.
I am also well aware of how much the Government make on a litre of petrol as I used to work for Shell (unfortunatly).
You come up with an idea that will make the Government listen and I will back you all the way. But please don't come on here and accuse me of being something I am not, you hopefully don't know me and with your attitude I hope you never will know me.

Report this post »

Bob, Cheam says...
12:02pm Wed 12 Mar 08

I have no problem with him bringing the congestion charge in IF... and here's the clincher, he improves transport links. That means, we need a decent tube or tram system covering all of the areas he's talking about as the train system is not fit for purpose. Also, a decent bus system and better traffic planning, until then, he has no reason to start trying to charge residents this blatant tax on the middle classes.
Mind you, I'm voting for Boris as Ken's an arrogant, self centred, thieving, tax orientated pointless waste of space.

Report this post »

Richard, Midlands says...
12:23pm Wed 12 Mar 08

I think Mr. Livingstone is forgetting one thing. Not everyone who works in London lives in London. I work in Wimbledon. I used to live in Wimbledon. Because house prices were too expensive I moved up north. Even with the petrol companies bleeding you try - and being taxed left right and centre it is still cheaper for me to travel by car and purchase replacement cars every 3 years than by train. £6000+ yr by train/tube. Much of the congestion in London is self induced by empty bus lanes - why doesn't he want to promote car sharing incentives. Tell you why - TFL don't make any money from it. I'm still convinced that deliberate traffic mismanagement causes congestion in areas that he wants to include in the zones. I remember worple road being dug up on many seperate occaisons causing chaos when with better planning, all the works could have been done at the same time. I think the Low Emission Zone is a better approach. The charge was never about congestion, when green cars were given a waiver into the zone. Another point - Public transport isn't cheap. Not everyone one has an oyster card. single journeys went from 70p to £2 in 5 years. One person should not have so much influence over key decisions in our captial city. Get rid of the whole mayoral system personally.

Report this post »

ric, kingston says...
3:30pm Wed 12 Mar 08

richard i think you are right i was thinking the exact same thing this morning

last few days the only thing causing traffic in kingston is the traffic lights.

it took me 50minutes to do 7 miles this morning all because the lights were green for all of 10 seconds.

once through this one set of lights. there was nothing.....all the way out to richmond. i was so angry!

and c may. i do have a bike aswell. but trying to get my gf to the train station with all her work stuff on the back of an R1 isnt happening. i need a car.

Report this post »

David, Croydon says...
4:33pm Wed 12 Mar 08

For public transport to work it has to be affordable, but soon the train will simply be too expensive for many. I have a well paid job, but still resent the idea of paying £1,500 per year to travel to work in central London. As there are currently 2 people in my house travelling into London (soon 3) it would probably be cheaper to use a car or motorbike. As it happens, I cycle some days and use the train others, keeping the cost down somewhat.

The fact is though that many people working in London aren't well paid, and over £1,000 a year is simply too much money.

An alternative to cars or the trains is cycling or walking. I enjoy cycling to work, but it is never going to be a transport for the masses. Our weather is too unpredictable, which puts many off, and the idea of a 10+ mile ride each way to work is going to be daunting for many, whether there are loads of cars on the road or not.

As for a congestion zone in Croydon - it could be a disaster. Two busy roads I know are the Purley Way (disaster zone) and Brighton Road. OK, it might help with them, but imagine the damage it might do to a retail area that is already under intense pressure due to the effects of Croydon's poor image, the excessive parking charges, etc. If zones weren't applied in other shopping hubs people would simply avoid Croydon, sending it into a downward spiral it might never recover from.

Lets deal with the issues causing people to use cars for all journeys - encourage cycling and walking for short journeys, deal with the issues that put people off using public transport. I would even like to see motorbikes given more publicity as an alternative to cars.

Report this post »

My Fair Lady, Putney says...
8:25pm Wed 12 Mar 08

I, for one will be voting for Gerard Batten the UKIP candidate as he promises he will scrap the CZ and emmission charging, review traffic light phasing, abolish the London Assembly and wants a referendum on the EU! Someone with commonsense at last. I don't normally do politics, but slippery Ken has really got me rattled!

Report this post »

ric, kingston says...
8:12am Thu 13 Mar 08

the congestion zones in place havent helped one bit with the traffic problem

do they actually think that people are just driving around for a laugh?

Report this post »

Kes, Upper Norwood says...
9:57pm Thu 13 Mar 08

My Fair Lady- if you want rid of Livingstone vote for the only one who's in a position to do it ie Boris!!

Report this post »

Guy, says...
2:24pm Fri 14 Mar 08

Isn't it time Kingston annexed itself from Greater London? It is a seperate town, with a completely different feel from most other areas. Policies that work for London town proper are often not suitable for Kingston

Report this post »

Comments are closed on this article.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone London Mayor Ken Livingstone

In this section

Sponsored Links



Local Links


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »