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Congestion Charging

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

South London Press

Dawn of new transport era

Feb 18 2003
By Transport Reporter Oscar Mortali

FOR such an historic day, Kennington was eerily quiet yesterday morning.

Apart, that is, from the small but vocal band of banner-wielding protesters who had gathered.

Demonstrators shouting "Kenny, Kenny, Kenny - Out, Out, Out!," were greeted with toots of support from drivers passing into the zone. While many predicted a mass influx of traffic into the zone from 6.30am onwards, most seemed to be travelling in the opposite direction, with motorists keen to get out before the cameras were activated.

Stuart Cutts, a fruit and veg delivery van driver, was one of the first past the post when 7am came.

He told the South London Press: "My boss has jacked it all in because of these charges."

He added: "It's all a waste of time. I don't think it will work - it won't make any difference at all."

Motorist Brian Stern, who on Sunday night managed to make it through to Transport for London's website to pay his fiver, followed.

He agreed: "It's not a good idea. It's not going to work."

A lone cyclist, with a self-satisfied grin on his face, passed over the red Cs which now adorn Kennington Cross, before screaming obscenities at the anti-congestion charge lobby.

He was not alone. In among the protesters were Lambeth cyclists Jon Davies and Deborah Arnold.

Mr Davies, who lives on the Kennington Lane boundary, said: "We've got to give this a chance. It is an historic day for London. Ken is a very brave man."

Tories who had gathered at Kennington to voice their opposition - and win a few votes - disagreed.

Lambeth councillor Bernard Gentry branded the choice of Kennington Lane as a boundary road 'nonsensical'.

He said: "Anyone who knows this area will tell you that. Ken was at the anti-war demonstration on Saturday calling for Tony Blair to listen to Londoners on the Iraq issue.

"Maybe he should practice what he preaches and listen to south Londoners on the congestion charge."

Lambeth deputy leader John Whelan predicted the charge would be "a disaster for the people of Lambeth" and "divide the Kennington community in two".

At 6.59am, over at Tower Bridge, one driver about to cross into the congestion charge boundary seemed to speed up just to make sure he got into town before the clocked ticked over 7am.

Perhaps he didn't know there are cameras positioned all over the zone - not just at the boundary line - ready to read your plates. Like Kennington, at 6.45am more cars seemed to be leaving the zone rather than entering it.

In fact, most of the drivers the South London Press spoke to cheerily explained they were exempt because they were driving LPG-powered cars, using a rental vehicle or had a disabled pass.

Not so lucky was Jarred Truz, who said: "I guess it has to be done hasn't it?

"But I've got a suggestion for people who don't want to pay though - why not use a ferry down the river?"

Transit driver Brett Ready added: "Well, I've not really got a choice, have I? I'm a builder so I have to drive to work and they are taking a liberty. But there's no point in complaining now is there?"

Also on Tower Bridge was Tory London Assembly member Tony Arbour, who said: "At 7am people started fleeing the capital - people do not want to pay. These drivers love what we're doing, but they hate Ken."

If Ken was at City Hall on Monday morning watching over Tower Bridge, he would have heard the dissenting car horns for himself.

For commuters who did ditch their cars and opted for the Tube there were delays to the already-overcrowded Northern Line when police were called to deal with what London Underground called "a mentally disturbed woman" reportedly walking on tracks in north London.

Elsewhere, LU says the Victoria Line northbound and Tubes at London Bridge station were noticeably busier.

Try to cross the notorious Elephant and Castle roundabout on any weekday rush hour and you usually find yourself sat in a jam. Yesterday was different.

A quick drive around south London's boundary roads -- which were supposed to be transformed into one giant car park -- showed Sunday morning traffic levels at the height of rush hour.

Around 10 people braved the bitter cold to make their point. They held placards and handed out leaflets to passing motorists.

George Taylor, a Conservative, had travelled from Bromley to demonstrate and said: "The bookies are offering 10-1 on [Ken] resigning before the election. I do not think they are bad odds."

Dave Watson, one of the first drivers through the Elephant and Castle boundary added: "I think it is a crazy plan and the only good thing is there's an election next year. The sooner they get rid of it, the better."

Mr Livingstone himself said yesterday: "This is a historic day for London. "Tough decisions have to be made to tackle the congestion which cripples this city. From today something is being done."

By 7am yesterday morning around 30,000 had paid the congestion charge.

Derek Turner, TfL managing director of street management, predicted 'disruption and teething problems' over the first few weeks.

Yesterday, at least, they were not evident.

Additional reporting by Richard Evans and Jon Ryder

(posted 7709 days ago)

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