Declares that consideration should be given to stopping the Mayor of London imposing charges for driving in Outer London; notes that if the Mayor of London imposes these charges, residents of the constituency of Dartford will be forced to pay a £3.50 fee each time they drive in Outer London.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to consider stopping the Mayor of London from imposing charges on driving in Outer London.
Andhs_6bBigBoldHdg the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Gareth Johnson, Official Report, 30 June 2021; Vol. 698, c. 372.]
[P002670]
Observations from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Rachel Maclean)and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Baroness Vere of Norbiton:
Behind this issue lies the question of the finances of Transport for London (TfL). In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the Government have agreed three extraordinary funding and financing packages for TfL worth over £4 billion to ensure the continuation of public transport services in London. Whilst keeping transport in London moving, these deals push TfL to achieve financial sustainability as soon as possible—with a target date of April 2023—ensuring fairness to national taxpayers.
A condition of this support required the Mayor of London and TfL to develop a plan for financial sustainability. One of the Mayor's proposals is a Boundary Charge. An estimated 1.3 million vehicle journeys are made into London every weekday and the Mayor has asked TfL to carry out a feasibility study on such a charge and its impact on road users. Minister Maclean stated that the Government does not support a Boundary Charge in a Westminster Hall debate on 23 March 2021. The Secretary of State reiterated that position on 29 April 2021 in the House of Commons, during Transport questions.
While transport in London is devolved to the Mayor and TfL—and it is for the Mayor and TfL to find ways to balance TfL's budget—the Government will ensure that any proposal is consistent with national policy.