London mayor Ken Livingstone has confirmed that the congestion charge will be suspended between Christmas and the New Year.
TfL will suspend the charge between 25 December 2004 and 3 January 2005 following a public consultation and an analysis of congestion in the central zone during the same period a year ago.
The mayor said: “The suspension of the congestion charge, coupled with the post-Christmas sales, will benefit visitors and businesses over the period.”
Retailers such as John Lewis, which has voraciously campaigned against the charge, will see the suspension as an opportunity to demonstrate that the charge is aversely affecting sales.
The Greater London Authority claims that retail sales and footfall now outstrip pre-congestion charge levels.
References: EGi News 21/10/04
