The FTA London Congestion Charge survey reveals that its members, good vehicle operators, have seen no benefits and big problems from the congestion charge.
The survey has found that nearly 70 per cent of goods vehicle journeys since the scheme’s introduction are no quicker and that 85 per cent companies had not been able to reduce their daily number of journeys. In addition 90 per cent said that they had not been able to make any more deliveries.
In contrast only 37 per cent of companies had been able to pass on the cost of the scheme to their customers, with the majority having to absorb the cost themselves.
FTA’s policy manager for London, Sarah Watkins, said: “Industry in London is obliged to live with the scheme. But this survey clearly demonstrates that it provides almost no benefits but imposes a high financial and bureaucratic cost.”
The other main finding from the survey were: 87 per cent believed commercial vehicles should be exempt from the congestion charge; 79 per cent felt that any benefits from the congestion charge were outweighed by the cost and on average 26 per cent of penalty charge notices have been cancelled following a challenge.
