Yr13 Managing Cities: How effective is the London Congestion Charge?

This was on the BBC website today. Mr M

Congestion charge hike 'will increase CO2'

Researchers say people will drive further to avoid paying the fee. The planned emissions-linked congestion charge will result in an increase in carbon dioxide (CO2), a study shows. King's College experts predicted a rise in CO2 levels in outer London would outweigh the benefits of CO2 saved by the £25-a-day fee in inner London. Researchers said this would be largely caused by people driving further to avoid the congestion charging zone. London mayor, Ken Livingstone, plans to raise the daily charge from £8 to £25 from 27 October. Under the plans the cars emitting the highest amounts of CO2 will have to pay a £25 congestion charge whereas cars with the lowest emissions will get a 100% discount.
It showed that by 2012 the increase in CO2 in outer London would be almost 184,000 tonnes, with just 2,200 tonnes saved in central London, giving an overall increase of 182,000 tonnes. The report concluded that because of the new charge, drivers were likely to increase their mileage outside of, and around, the zone and thus increase their emissions.