Watford Mayor Peter Taylor has blasted Sadiq Khan’s proposed ‘border tax’ for motorists travelling into London.
The Mayor of London, in a letter to Mr Taylor, has confirmed that he has ordered a feasibility examine into the proposal which might see a £3.50 payment being imposed on drivers getting into the Larger London space from neighbouring boroughs, together with these in Hertfordshire.
Earlier this month, the plans had been labelled as “deeply damaging” as greater than 20 Conservative MPs signed an open letter to Mr Khan, who’s searching for re-election because the capital’s mayor later this yr.
Dean Russell, MP for Watford, Hertfordshire, Gagan Mohindra, MP for South West Hertfordshire, Sir Charles Walker KBE, MP for Broxbourne, and Oliver Heald, MP for North East Hertfordshire, all signed the letter calling for the proposed ‘border tax’ to be scrapped.
It is understood that the ‘Larger London boundary cost’ can be paid by drivers of autos registered exterior the 33 London boroughs.
This payment can be along with the £15 congestion cost and £12.50 ultra-low emission zone (Ulez), which expands to extra suburbs in October 2021.
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It is estimated that 1.3m drivers a day can be requested to pay the brand new boundary cost if it was launched.
The cost can be set at £3.50 a day – growing to £5.50 for probably the most polluting autos.
Sadiq Khan is quickly to be getting into negotiations with the Authorities on what will likely be a 3rd bailout bundle for Transport for London (TfL).
It has been broadly reported that TfL has already obtained two coronavirus bail-outs from the Authorities price £3.4bn, and the transport community says it will need an extra £3.1bn subsequent yr, in keeping with the Commonplace.
The Watford Mayor has voiced his considerations and says it will have a big impact on residents in each Watford and the broader county.
“This could have a big effect on Watford and different boroughs bordering London who at present see London as a spot of alternative for work and leisure,” he stated.
“Imposing further prices on travelling into London and reducing public transport on the similar time would improve prices and inconvenience for native households and companies.
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“The Mayor of London wants to contemplate simply how a lot individuals from locations like Watford contribute to the London economic system.
“He’s utilizing this proposal as a bargaining chip with the federal government, but it surely gained’t go unnoticed by the people who find themselves prone to further expenses.
“If this proposal is taken ahead to public session he can anticipate a widespread marketing campaign towards the proposals from the bordering boroughs and the people who find themselves going to be most affected.”
Mr Khan’s response
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan
(Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
A Mayor of London spokesperson stated: “The Mayor has repeatedly urged the Authorities to permit London to retain the £500m of Automobile Excise Obligation paid by Londoners yearly however which is at present spent nearly solely on sustaining roads exterior the capital.
“TfL faces unprecedented monetary challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic but the Authorities is unwilling to supply the assist essential regardless of doing so for the personal rail firms.
“Sadiq continues to foyer Ministers to do the precise factor and supply TfL with sufficient funding – and encourages residents and MPs to do the identical. If the Authorities refuse to permit London to maintain the VED raised within the metropolis different methods of elevating cash could also be wanted equivalent to a Larger London Boundary Cost for non-residents.
“Topic to the findings of TfL’s feasibility examine, already underway, any proposals developed consequently can be topic to a full public session the place the general public – together with non-Londoners – would be capable of have their say on any potential proposals.
“It’s fully incorrect to counsel that TfL service reductions are deliberate. TfL has run a close to regular service for months now, and Sadiq has been clear all through the pandemic that sustaining dependable service ranges is essential to allow social distancing and cut back the danger of a dangerous car-led restoration.”
