7th December 2005

Congratulations to the Labour group on the County Council for highlighting the Conservatives failure to apply for funding to consider congestion charges (6/12/05), but it is both Tory and Labour policies of encouraging traffic that have led us to near gridlock.

Since 1997 the cost of motoring has declined whilst the cost of public transport has risen. Nationally Labour's £30 billion worth of roadbuilding over the next ten years will only make matters worse.

Photo left reprinted with permission of Green Cllr Andy D'Agorne

In London the congestion charge has been successful in cutting traffic by 20%, reducing delays by 30%, reducing pollution that leads to respiratory illnesses, reducing noise, reducing deaths and injuries from accidents, increasing public transport use, and reducing traffic which has made the roads safer and led to an increase in walkers and cyclists. Research also shows the charge has brought benefits worth up to £220m per year in reduced travel time, fuel costs, and accidents.

We need to be clear that any such charge should not unfairly penalize people in their own areas. It is about reducing unnecessary extra congestion and extra pollution from though-traffic. Assembly Greens in London proposed a 90% discount for residents (ie 40p for residents in outer London).

Congestion charging should also only be considered as part of a much wider programme to build a public transport system that works - if other countries can do it then why can't we?

Cllr. Martin Whiteside, Stroud District Green party