Congestion charges?

Graham F · 08-02-2005, 15:53

With London planning to extend their Congestion charge zone and other towns and cities looking at the idea. My question is..... do you think its right to have to pay to drive into town and city centres?

Nugget · 08-02-2005, 16:01

Nope. I understand why they've done it in London but I don't see why we should get charged to drive through when we still haven't got a reliable public transport system - there are still problems with delays / cancellations on the rail network and most buses these days are just plain knackered.

Once they get that sorted, then fair enough. Having said that, me and Mrs Nug are off to London next month, but we're going by train ('cos the hotel's about 200 yards from the nearest Tube station), so that's 5 quid they've lost already

EDIT: Just to clarify - I have no problems with congestion charges per se, but I feel that they should get the alternatives to taking your car everywhere sorted first

. I've voted 'no' in the poll but, ideally, I should say 'Not at the moment'

**Stuart** · 08-02-2005, 16:04

I have put Yes, but I'd like to qualify that. The money generated should be ringfenced for use on improving public transport, or improving the roads (which should benefit public transport anyway)

**Paul M** · 08-02-2005, 16:04

No, No, No.

It's nothing more than another con and tax on motorists - as if we don't pay enough already.

Graham F · 08-02-2005, 16:07

But hasn't it reduced traffic in central London by 15%?!? which surely was the aim of the scheme?!?

**Paul M** · 08-02-2005, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham F

But hasn't it reduced traffic in central London by 15%?!? which surely was the aim of the scheme?!?

Sorry but I think the aim was to make money. A reduction is just a side effect.

Ramrod · 08-02-2005, 16:10

oooooh.....a whole 15%?

STONEISLAND · 08-02-2005, 16:11

If it reduces my car tax, I'm all for it as I never have to go into the town centre where I guess these charges will be.

Nugget · 08-02-2005, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunk4u

If it reduces my car tax, I'm all for it as I never have to go into the town centre where I guess these charges will be.

How would it reduce your car tax?

Graham F · 08-02-2005, 16:16

Not really, the object for London was to make the centre of the city move, rather than the gridlock which it had, all the money made in London is being put back into public transport which is good

Nugget · 08-02-2005, 16:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graham F

Not really, the object for London was to make the centre of the city move, rather than the gridlock which it had, all the money made in London is being put back into public transport which is good

That is a good thing, but I just think that they've done it the wrong way. The public transport system should have been improved first, and then impose the congestion charge - why should people leave their cars at home if they then can't guarantee that their bus or train is going to be on time (or, in some circumstances, even turn up at all)?

STONEISLAND · 08-02-2005, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nugget

How would it reduce your car tax?

fair enougth cannot answer that after much

.

But surley it would improve roads etc.

Graham F · 08-02-2005, 16:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ramrod

oooooh.....a whole 15%?

you don't think that is a very big reduction then? I think 15% is a big reduction

Nugget · 08-02-2005, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunk4u

fair enougth cannot answer that after much

.

But surley it would improve roads etc.

Well, as Graham F said, the idea is for the money to go back into improving public transport, not sorting the roads out.

I s'pose that, technically, you may see an improvement in the roads because of the reduction of the traffic using them, but the charge isn't actually being levied to do this specifically

TheBlueRaja · 08-02-2005, 16:28

Lets see - well, my wages are taxed at 22% or there abouts - my car is taxed at 180 odd quid a year, the petrol i use to drive around is taxed at something like 70% and now they want me to pay to drive through certain areas.

The swear filter prohibits me from telling them where they should go.