£20 charge for 'Chelsea Tractors' unlikely
by David Kyle

Larger vehicles are not likely to face a higher rate of congestion charge in London after calls by campaigners to raise the charge.

Drivers currently pay £8 to drive in the centre of town, however the pressure group are arguing that a driver of a 4x4 should pay £12 extra.

Alliance Against Urban 4x4s handed a five thousand-strong petition to the Mayor’s Office in London as well as a proposal on why so called ‘Chelsea Tractors’ should pay more to drive in the capital.

4x4s will still be London-friendly for the near future

Transport for London however doesn’t see this charge happening in the near future, finding it difficult to classify types of cars.

Jamie O’Hara, spokesperson for the congestion charge at Transport for London, said:
“It’s difficult to define what is and isn’t a 4x4. They come in many shapes and sizes.”

“We have looked at this three times over the last three years but it’s difficult to implement, even the DVLA doesn’t classify 4x4s.”

The congestion charge, introduced to London in February 2003, has so far been a success in reducing emissions and traffic according to O’Hara.

“Since the start of the congestion charge there has been a 30% reduction in congestion and a 12% drop in emissions.”

In February 2007 the congestion charge is being extended to the West London area in an attempt to keep these figures descending.