š Article read time: 2 minutes
Decision to maintain existing London Congestion Charge boundary will protect businesses, says Logistics UK
The governmentās decision not to expand the London Congestion Charge has come as a huge relief for struggling businesses, Logistics UK has said.
The business group had urged Transport Secretary Grant Shapps not to extend the £15 London Congestion Charge zone to the North and South Circulars in just 12 months’ time.
David Wells, Logistics UK’s Chief Executive, wrote to Shapps expressing serious concerns about a proposed extension to the zone.
The extension had been proposed by government as a condition of the multibillion-pound bailout package of Transport for London (TfL), following its collapse in fare income during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his letter to the Transport Secretary, Wells outlined the industry’s concerns about this proposal and asked for it to be removed from the negotiations. He warned that expanding the Congestion Charge could put logistics operators out of business.
Responding to the news that the government has refrained from including the expansion as a condition of the TfL bailout package, Wells said:
“The government’s decision to listen to the concerns of Logsitics UK and its members – as outlined in my letter to Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP, the Secretary of State for Transport – and refrain from expanding the London Congestion Charge is a huge relief to logistics businesses, many of whom continue to struggle financially and operationally as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Now, Logistics UK is urging government to reconsider whether logistics activity should still be included in the temporary conditions added in June 2020, which saw a significant increase in the fee and longer operating hours. With little alternative to using lorries and vans to keep London stocked with all the goods the population needs, it simply amounts to an additional tax on those charged with supporting the capital during the pandemic and beyond.”
*https://logistics.org.uk/campaigns/urban-logistics
Published On: 05/11/2020 14:04:58
Comments Section
If you are a Logistics UK member login to add comments.
In brief
INDUSTRY FACES POTENTIAL Ā£240M BILL
David Wells, Logistics UK’s Chief Executive, has warned that a no-deal Brexit outcome will add a massive £240 million to the logistics industry’s annual bill. The extra money would become due thanks to the imposition of World Trade Organization (WTO) tariffs on new vehicles, parts and equipment.
https://logistics.org.uk/media/press-releases/2020/october-2020/logistics-businesses-face-240-million-no-deal-bill
Latest articles
Van Policy Working Group discusses the Non-Zero-Emission Van Registration Trading SchemeĀ
The Van Policy Working Group met this week (Tuesday 25 June) under the new chairmanship of Colin James, General Manager Compliance and Risk at DPD Group UK, to discuss the impact of the new Non-Zero-Emission Van Registration Trading Scheme (VRTS) on vehicle acquisition plans.
Read time: 2 minutes
View article
June 2024 - A month in the media for Logistics UK
Media interest in logistics has continued to be high during June, with the Logistics UK press office busy providing comment on a variety of issues to ensure the views of its members maintain a significant presence in the headlines.
Read time: 2 minutes
View article
Generation Logistics Case Study
Betsy Porter - Customs Processing Administrator, MaerskĀ
Read time: 2 minutes
View article