Small Businesses Federation protest over Congestion Charge rise

Small businesses in east London are among a growing protest over plans to raise Congestion Charge by 11-and-a-half per cent.

A‘root and branch’ reform of the whole scheme which has hit small firms since it was brought in 11 years ago has been called for by the London Federation of Small Businesses.

A survey by the federation has found two-thirds of small firms oppose the increase from £10 to £11.50, while a-quarter said the toll itself was “a tax on business” inside the Congestion zone, which includes Aldgate and a large swathe between Whitechapel, Spitalfields and Shoreditch as well as The City, West End and Southbank.

“The time has now come for root and branch reform,” said the federation’s Sue Terpilowski.

“Congestion has risen back to levels before 2003—it’s clear the scheme is not fit for purpose.

“An 11.5 per cent increase should not be considered at this time.”

The federation is calling for the current toll to remain at £10 until a feasibility study is undertaken into the whole congestion charge scheme.