The Freight Transport Association is urging Transport for London to consider lifting the London Congestion Charge for all essential users.
In a birthday “message” to the Congestion Charge, which turns ten on Sunday 17 February, the FTA suggested that the celebrations be extended by considering the freight and logistics industry and offering free access for all main users.
It argues that TfL should re-think the Charge on freight operators who have no option other than to use the cities roads and congestion charge zones.
The London Congestion Charge includes the whole of the City of London, the financial district and the West End, London’s primary commercial and entertainment centre.
It remains today one of the largest congestion charge zones in the world.
Natalie Chapman, FTA head of policy for London, said: “FTA believes that the Congestion Charge is purely a tax on deliveries and its focus should be to deter discretionary or non-essential journeys where there is an option to choose an alternative time or to use public transport.”
FTA pointed out that it is not feasible to deliver goods on public transport or alternative modes for the to-the-door deliveries that central London requires.
