Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Theresa Villiers and Baroness Bray of Coln

Thursday 27th January 2011 Commons Chamber

[Angie Bray (Ealing Central and Acton) (Con)]

5. What assessment he has made of the effects of the ending of the west London extension of the congestion charge zone.

[The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Mrs Theresa Villiers)]

The removal of the western extension of the congestion charging zone is a devolved matter for the Mayor of London.

[Angie Bray]

Does the Minister of State agree that one of the beneficial effects will be for those who live or try to run small businesses around the perimeter of the zone, for whom life was made very expensive? However, perhaps the biggest benefit will be for City Hall in the restoration of a reputation for proper democratic governance.

[Mrs Villiers]

My hon. Friend has a strong record in her former capacity as a London Assembly Member for representing the views of residents on this issue, as she has in her current capacity as the hon. Member for Ealing Central and Acton. There are always pros and cons to be considered in relation to the impact on business of congestion charging schemes. No doubt when the Mayor made the decision on the western extension zone he will have taken on board her concerns about the impact on small businesses on the periphery and boundary of that zone.