Logistics UK comments on Congestion Charge announcement

Thursday 16 December 2021

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today (16 December 2021) confirmed the proposed changes to the Congestion Charge, following a period of consultation. The changes reduce the hours of operation to 0700-1800 during the week and 1200-1800 at the weekend and Bank Holidays from 21 February 2022. The announcement also confirms that the charge will remain at the current £15 rate. 

Natalie Chapman, Logistics UK’s Head of Policy - South, comments: “Logistics UK welcomes the announcement confirming the operational hours of the Congestion Charge will revert back to the original weekday timings in place before the Covid-19 pandemic. This will provide additional flexibility to retime deliveries to less congested times – with the potential to reduce emissions, improve the safety of vulnerable road users, and increase operational efficiency – and is supported by Logistics UK members.  

“However, Logistics UK is disappointed that the charges will apply on weekends and bank holidays, and that the £15 charge level will be retained, but the fleet autopay discount removed. This simply amounts to an additional tax for logistics businesses who currently have little alternative but to use lorries and vans to keep London stocked with all the goods the population needs.” 

Logistics UK is one of the UK’s leading business groups, representing logistics businesses which are vital to keeping the UK trading, and more than seven million people directly employed in the making, selling and moving of goods. With COVID-19, Brexit, new technology and other disruptive forces driving change in the way goods move across borders and through the supply chain, logistics has never been more important to UK plc. Logistics UK supports, shapes and stands up for safe and efficient logistics, and is the only business group which represents the whole industry, with members from the road, rail, sea and air industries, as well as the buyers of freight services such as retailers and manufacturers whose businesses depend on the efficient movement of goods.