London congestion charge operating hours to be reduced

The congestion charge hours have been reduced on weekdays and weekends

The hours when London's congestion charge zone is operational are to be reduced, it has been announced.

There will be no charge after 18:00 GMT on weekdays, while on weekends the zone will operate between 12:00 and 18:00, Transport for London (TfL) said.

There is currently a £15 charge for vehicles that enter the congestion charge zone between 07:00 and 22:00 on every day of the week.

The changes will come into force from 21 February.

When the new operational hours are introduced, vehicles will be charged for entering the zone between 07:00 and 18:00 on weekdays.

The reduced weekday hours mark a return to how they were before the pandemic, after they were extended due to the conditions of the bailout deal between TfL and the government.

At weekends and on bank holidays the congestion charge will apply from 12:00 to 18:00 to reflect the busiest times, TfL said.

Nevertheless, the cost is to remain at £15, despite the increase from £11.50 being originally introduced as a temporary measure during the pandemic.

The charge will be suspended between Christmas Day and the first working day of January.

TfL said the changes had been made to balance cutting congestion in the capital with supporting the city's culture, hospitality and night-time economy.

No congestion charge will be applied between Christmas Day and 3 January

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "The government insisted on proposals to widen the level and scope of the congestion charge last year as a condition of TfL's emergency funding agreement - which was only needed because of the pandemic and the collapse in fares revenue.

"These new changes strike a balance between reducing traffic and congestion and supporting London's economy and residents, and helping ensure our recovery is a green and sustainable one."

But the move has come in for criticism from Green London Assembly Member Sian Berry, who said the "completely irrational" changes would cost TfL tens of millions in revenue and that central London business had been calling for less traffic.

She said: "The government is taking money from TfL, but at the same time forgoing revenue we currently get from car drivers when there is a real environmental and safety incentive to remove vehicles from central London doesn't make any sense either.

"Neither the government or the mayor are doing the right thing here."

It comes as the London mayor proposes a council tax rise to fund TfL.

She added: "We ought to be getting more money from people who are doing essentially the wrong thing by driving.

"Most low-income Londoners do not drive a car but they do pay council tax and they do benefit when they're over 60 from the discounts. The mayor is penalising the wrong people here."

Other changes coming into force on 20 December include reopening the 90% residents' discount for new applicants, and an extension for making a delayed payment up to three days after travel.

The Auto Pay and Fleet Auto discounts will also be removed, as well as the ability for residents to pay online or by app for multiple consecutive charging days.