Congestion zone towns could "ruin retail"
The congestion charge in London could be rolled out to other areas
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Wednesday, 14, Mar 2007 08:14
New reports suggest that UK motorists are prepared to go out of their way to avoid congestion charge zones, with a sizable percentage of drivers stating that they would alter their plans to steer clear of congestion zones.
Research conducted by the RAC reveals that as many as a third of drivers would drive to a different area altogether to avoid a congestion charge of £5 pounds, reflecting a distinct lack of popularity surrounding such schemes.
Over 30 per cent would avoid congestion zones altogether and 27 per cent stated they would travel by alternate means.
Little more than 20 per cent of respondents said that they would make a journey less often to cut personal costs.
Edmund King, executive director at the RAC, maintains that congestion charge schemes and other such measures can have strong ramifications upon retail if implemented without care.
"Minor changes such as parking controls or major changes such as congestion charging can ruin retail if not well planned," he said.
"Cars are the shopping trolley of convenience but motorists will vote with their wheels if too many restrictions are brought in."
London's congestion charge scheme was recently extended into the west of the city in a bid to reduce traffic by between ten and 15 per cent.