HF will be the real loser of C-charge extension, says Hands

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Borough will take most of the displaced traffic

Hammersmith & Fulham MP, Greg Hands, has made his official submission as part of the public consultation on the westwards extension of the Congestion Charging zone today, calling on the Mayor of London to scrap the scheme.

Greg’s submission focuses on seven key points against the extension taking place.

It fundamentally argues that Hammersmith & Fulham will be the real loser if the extension goes ahead, as the Borough will take most of the displaced traffic and will have none of the benefits of a 90% discount on the price afforded to Kensington & Chelsea residents.

The seven key points are:

- The proposal will add very significantly to traffic within and through the Hammersmith & Fulham constituency, where there is currently no free capacity, especially on north-south routes.
- Travel to the NHS’s Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, the district hospital for much of Fulham, will now cost £8 for local residents. Practically all NHS births for Fulham residents will now cost.
- The effect on local businesses, both large like Earl’s Court / Olympia, and small like many local small businesses will be very adversely affected.
- The effect on local state schools will be severe, due to the large numbers of pupils crossing the Borough boundary each day.
- Public transport in this area of London needs to be significantly improved before the extension of the Zone, notably the development of the Chelsea – Hackney Line.
- The additional costs for Fulham residents in having to pay for car travel to Kensington & Chelsea will have a very adverse effect on Hammersmith & Fulham disposable incomes.
- The Zone boundary will divide the strong and continuous Fulham – Chelsea community in particular, and also that between West Kensington (W14) and Kensington.

Commenting, Greg said: “A key issue in the recent General Election campaign, opposition to the proposed extension was raised with me at all public hustings meetings and on countless doorsteps. Over many years, both as a Councillor, Parliamentary Candidate and since May, the local MP, I have also been in receipt of many letters, emails, faxes and telephone calls from concerned Hammersmith & Fulham residents, urging me to oppose the scheme.

“I am under no doubt whatsoever that the extension would be a disaster for Hammersmith & Fulham and urge the Mayor and Transport for London to listen and scrap the plans immediately.”

July 16, 2005