Congestion Charging

"Berlin Wall" in Lambeth warning

South London Press

THE CONGESTION charge will create a 'Berlin Wall' through Lambeth, warned a Conservative councillor.

Councillor Bernard Gentry last week argued the charge will create a barrier across north Lambeth - along Kennington Lane and Kennington Park Road - separating communities and increasing air pollution. He told a meeting: "The congestion charge is not wanted by the people of this borough or by the council. It is a recipe for disaster and will create a Berlin Wall across the north of the borough. You will not physically be able to get from one end of this borough to the other because of extra traffic." Cllr Gentry claimed Ken Livingstone is only interested in keeping traffic out of Zone One and does not care where it goes instead.

He said: "I have no doubt there will be a reduction in the traffic in Westminster but there will be a dramatic increase in traffic in Lambeth. This council should stand up and tell the Mayor he is wrong and to think again." Councillor Dinti Wakefield pointed out people in Kennington face a 'double whammy' of having to pay the congestion charge, as the area is classed as central London by the scheme, but then they also have to pay for a two-zone Tube fare into central London as their Tube stop is in Zone Two.

A Transport for London spokesman said: "People do not have to make these journeys by private car so the issue of a Berlin Wall does not apply.

"The area will be well served by public transport and the vast majority of people will choose to travel by public transport.

"We have taken a great deal of time and money to make sure the inner-ring road runs smoothly, and local authorities have had a substantial budget - £70million so far and another £30million is in the kitty - to put measures in place that offset potentially negative effects."

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