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Metro
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- Metro
New traffic map reveals London's most congested boroughs
One of London's most affluent boroughs is the worst hit by congestion, new analysis of traffic in the capital reveals. Richmond upon Thames in the city's south-west has the highest density of road users at peak times, the data shows. The neighbourhood was found to have a congestion level of 41% with a frustrating average travel time of 24.1 minutes per 10km. The average speed was just 24.8mph in the clogged up neighbourhood, which borders the congestion charge area and like the rest of London is an Ultra Low Emission Zone. The borough was followed by Hammersmith and Fulham, Ealing, Haringey and Merton in the London congestion data from 2024 compiled for Metro by TomTom. The figures come after London was found to be the slowest-moving city in Europe earlier this year amid concerns about 'car-spreading' with the profusion of SUVs in urban areas. In Hammersmith and Fulham, the congestion level was 41% — the percentage reflecting the increase compared to times when traffic is relatively free-flowing. But road users had an even longer travel time of 27.5 minutes per 10km, with an average speed of 21.7mph. Of the boroughs, Haringey had the slowest travel time at 29.7 minutes. Along with Hammersmith and Fulham, Richmond was in the top 10 areas nationwide for SUV sales, according to a 2021 report by climate charity Possible, making the profusion of the 'supersized' vehicles one likely source of the congestion. Oliver Lord, UK head of the Clean Cities Campaign, said: 'Car-spreading – the relentless growth in car size – is worsening traffic in our cities by clogging up roads and making it harder for drivers to pass or park. 'If we want the capital to be healthier and more efficient then we must discourage supersized SUVs and free up space for the rest of us to move around.' The City of London had the worst travel time of any borough, with motorists taking an average of 41.7 minutes to go just 10km. To put the figures into perspective, the record time for running the distance is 26:24 held by Kenyan athlete Rhonex Kipruto. Travel time is different from congestion as it reflects the obstacles such as traffic lights and zebra crossings that slow traffic down. Richmond 41% Hammersmith & Fulham 40.8% Ealing 40.2% Haringey 38.9% Merton 38% (Source: TomTom) Central London's figures are skewed because the roads are almost always busy, meaning there isn't a big spike in congestion compared with the other areas in the map. Overall, the average London driver took just over 33 minutes to travel 10km last year, representing a 40 second increase on 2023. Construction work on the M25 and an increase in home deliveries after the pandemic are other reasons identified by TomTom which could be behind the slow-down. Andy Marchant, a traffic expert at the location technology specialist, said: 'London's congestion story is shaped by a complex mix of infrastructure challenges, commuter demand and local policy. 'Our latest data shows Richmond upon Thames and Hammersmith & Fulham topping the congestion charts in 2024, reflecting high demand and unique local pressures. 'In Hammersmith, the ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge to vehicles continues to contribute to heavier traffic on surrounding roads. 'This adds pressure to an already busy area with no clear end in sight despite the fact the bridge has reopened to pedestrians and cyclists. 'Richmond's congestion is shaped by its popularity, the prevalence of narrow streets and the recent ULEZ expansion across the borough, all of which play a role in slowing journeys and increasing traffic density.' The Mayor of London's key priorities include reducing congestion through encouraging people to walk, cycle and use public transport more. Sadiq Khan and Transport for London have set a target of 80% of all trips in the capital being made by these options by 2041. Marchant added: 'Central boroughs like the City of London, Westminster, and Camden remain hotspots for slow speeds and long travel times, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to keep London moving. 'While some outer boroughs benefit from wider roads and higher speed limits, the overall trend points to growing pressure on London's road network. As the city grows, investing in sustainable transport alternatives and smarter traffic management will be key to reducing congestion, improving air quality, and making London a more liveable city for everyone.' The Healthy Streets coalition, comprised of several groups campaigning for reduced traffic and clean air, ranks Richmond 17th out of 33 boroughs for public transport, speed calming and 'active' travel. More Trending While car trips were found to have increased last year, the neighbourhood also displayed the highest cycling rates in outer London. One move aimed at unclogging roads is Transport for London's (TfL) proposal to raise the congestion charge by a fifth to £18. The price hike would 'help keep London moving, encourage the uptake of electric vehicles and promote sustainable travel across the capital,' according to TfL, which is consulting on the plan. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: We live yards from Manchester United's planned 100,000-seater stadium – here's what we really think MORE: The vital service still hitting the road in the face of 114mph Storm Eowyn MORE: We live yards from colossal HS2 building work – here's what we really think
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Why is the Mayor turning back the clock on e-vans?
London has made huge strides in cleaning up its air since Oxford Street was named the world's most polluted road as recently as 2013. Notorious pollution hotspots such as Putney High Street once breached annual legal limits for diesel-related emissions just a few days into January but now stay compliant all year round. For that the Mayor can rightly take some credit, for greening London's bus fleet and for encouraging and supporting black cab drivers to swap diesel for electric taxis. But in one area there has been much more painful progress — delivery vans. The UK lags behind other western European countries in the uptake of electric vans. According to Oliver Lord, who leads the Clean Cities Campaign in the UK, diesel freight vehicles — especially vans — are now the biggest road transport contributor to harmful NOx emissions in central London. Progress in persuading the legions of small and medium-sized enterprises that are the backbone of London's economy to convert to green alternatives has been slow. That some have begun to do so is in no small measure down to the exemption from the congestion charge that electric vehicles have enjoyed since 2019. For companies operating vans zipping in and out of central London daily the savings can run to thousands of pounds a year. So at a time when they are being crushed by the burden of a multitude of extra costs — rents, rates, energy bills, the rising minimum wage and many more — the 100 per cent discount on the congestion charge is a welcome relief. But in just over six months it will be gone — and with it the biggest single fiscal incentive to switching to electric. Transport for London last week launched a consultation on plans to end the exemption for electric vehicles, known as the Cleaner Vehicle Discount, from the New Year. Under its proposals owners of electric vans and other commercial vehicles will instead get only a 50 per cent discount from the new headline daily rate of £18, in itself a 20 per cent rise. That will result in the daily charge for vans shooting up from zero to £9. Small business owners contacted by the Standard have expressed their dismay at this extra cost at a time of tiny wafer-thin margins. At best it will slow up the conversion of van fleets from diesel to electric even further. At worst, some SME bosses who have gone green are considering reverting back to diesel when their lease deals expire. Matt Jaffa, the London spokesman for the Federation of Small Business, said: 'We urge the Mayor to maintain a zero charge for small businesses that use electric vans. The higher upfront costs for new electric vehicles and the uncertain residual values for second-hand electric cars and vans already put them out of the financial reach of many small businesses. Still, the lower charges they are subject to in congestion zones act as a strong argument in their favour. Significantly reducing this benefit will de-incentivise small business fleets which would otherwise have given serious consideration to swapping over to a greener vehicle.' Cleaner Cities' Lord said: 'We have a very clear message to the Mayor. He needs to keep the 100 per cent EV discount and maximise the help to those who need it the most. And that is the smaller companies.' Anoma Radkevitch, owner of florists Bloomsbury Flowers, fears the changes proposed by TfL could cost her as much as £6,500 a year. She currently operates three diesel vans, one electric van and an electric car. Her vehicles buzz in and out of central London every day as she and her staff deliver bouquets and refresh blooms. She said: 'Now that incentive has gone I don't think I can afford to change over to electric. The congestion charge exemption was the big draw before. 'Because electricity prices are so high I wasn't making a big saving on the diesel. I am considering going back to diesel.' Other small business bosses made the same plea in a video released by Cleaner Cities. Matthew Connolly, founder and CEO of laundry delivery service Ihatelaundry, said: 'My message for the mayor on this issue is please please do the right thing. We can't afford to pay their congestion charge.' Paul Arrigo, CEO of seed importer Seeds of Italy, said: 'We like our electric van because it's convenient, it's environmentally friendly, it reduces costs for us as well. We need this little gesture to be able to continue.' TfL's consultation began on May 27 and runs through to August 4 with a final decision expected in the early autumn. TfL has been adamant its proposed new regime will continue to keep a lid on congestion in central London while providing 'ongoing support to those who need to drive in the zone to make the switch to an electric vehicle'. But for thousands of small businesses that did the right thing by converting to electric vans and now face paying an extra £9 a day to make unavoidable road journeys into central London it is just another unwelcome burden. Leading The Charge is supported by commercial partners, which share the project's aims, but our journalism remains editorially independent Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Automotive
- Time Out
London's congestion charge could increase next year: cost, zone map and everything you need to know
Central London's congestion charge has remained the same price for the last five years. But, according to Transport for London, it's time for it to be increased. The congestion charge is in place to encourage Londoners to use more sustainable modes of travel and decrease emissions in the city centre. TfL wants to raise the charge in order to keep encourage more people to make the eco-friendly switch. Nothing's set in stone yet though. TfL has launched a public consultation over its proposals in order to hear what people living and working in the area have to say. It started on May 27 and will be open until August 5 – you can have your say here. But first, here's everything you need to know about the proposed changes to London's congestion charge. Why is the congestion charge going up? TfL said that it the increase would help further incentivise people to consider electric vehicles or use public transport. It added that if the charge stays the same, there would be around 2,200 more vehicles using the congestion charge zone on an average weekday next year. How much could London's congestion be increased by? As per TfL's proposals, the charge would increase by 20 percent from £15 to £18, if paid in advance or on the day of travel. At the moment, the congestion charge rises from £15 to £17.50 if it's not paid by midnight on the third day of travel. Under TfL's plans, that higher price will rise to £21. When would the charge increase? The price hike would come into place from January 2026. Where is London's congestion charge zone? The congestion charge zone covers central London, including the City of London, Soho, Southwark and Lambeth, bordered by major roads like Euston Road, Commercial Street, Tower Bridge Road and Vauxhall Bridge Road. Who has to pay the congestion charge? The better question is who doesn't have to pay. At the moment, all electric vehicles can go through the congestion charge zone for free, but that exemption is due to end from December 25 this year. TfL's new proposals say that zero-emissions should be given a discount. The 'New Cleaner Vehicle Discount' would come into place from January 2, 2026. Electric vans, HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles will have to pay £9 a day (50 percent discount) and electric cars will have to pay £13.50 (25 percent discount). From March 4, 2030, those discounts would be reduced to 25 percent and 12.5 percent. At the moment residents driving non-electric cars enjoy a 90 percent congestion charge discount. From March 2027, that will be abolished for any new applicants. TfL said: 'Those who are already registered for the discount ahead of this date will not see any changes, reflecting that they might be reliant on their current form of transport.' What have people said about the proposals? Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities Campaign, said: 'We've record numbers of polluting diesel vans in the UK so I'm thrilled the Mayor is helping to reward businesses that invest in greener fleets. By prioritising electric and pedal powered freight, we will all benefit from cleaner air and quieter streets. 'There's no use having a congestion charge that nobody pays so I think today's proposals strike a fair balance between its core aims around traffic and congestion, whilst also advancing our environmental goals.' However, on the other side of the argument, Michael Lloyd, the FSB's London infrastructure champion, said: 'Many businesses, particularly in sectors where margins are so tight, will not able to absorb these extra costs. 'Businesses will look to charge customers in the charging zone a premium for their business services, which will heighten inflationary pressures further. 'The mayor should immediately reconsider the excessive increase and make it more palatable to struggling small firms. We urge the mayor to maintain a zero charge for small van users.'
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Congestion Charge set to rise by 20% to £18
The Congestion Charge should rise by a fifth to £18, Transport for London (TfL) has proposed. On 2 January, the daily £15 fee for drivers of vehicles in central London will increase, the first such rise since June 2020 when the charge jumped 30% from £11.50. If the charge is not paid within 48 hours, drivers face a penalty of £180, reduced to £90 if paid within 14 days. Drivers of electric cars, who currently travel free in the zone, were expecting to start paying the full charge from December but will now receive a 25% discount provided they are registered for auto pay. HGVs will get a 50% discount. TfL is also proposing to raise fares annually in line with public transport fares, which usually increase with inflation. City Hall said without the changes at least 2,200 more vehicles would drive in the zone each weekday while TfL said the increase would be "effective in managing traffic and congestion in central London". London has the most congested roads in Europe, a title it has held for four consecutive years. Applications for new residents' discounts from petrol and diesel car owners are set to be abolished altogether in March 2027. A public consultation will run until 4 August. Currently, these motorists pay nothing to drive in central London. But from January - provided they are registered for auto pay - electric car drivers will pay £13.50 a day (25% discount) while HGVs, light quadricycles and heavy quadricycles will pay £9 (50% off). In March 2030, the discounts will drop to 25% and 12.5% respectively. TfL had previously announced plans to end the Congestion Charge exemption for electric vehicles altogether. However, a recent report from Stonehaven Global warned that abolishing the discount for electric vehicles could "threaten to undo years of air quality gains and risk an 11% rise in nitrogen oxides across central London". The head of UK and strategy for Clean Cities, Oliver Lord, who was among the critics of the plan to abolish the electric vehicles exemption altogether, said the latest proposals amounted to a "balanced package" and that the mayor had listened. From March 2027 and for new applicants only, the residents' discount will be abolished for anyone not driving an electric vehicle. Currently, residents driving non-electric cars receive a 90% Congestion Charge discount. TfL says: "Those who are already registered for the discount ahead of this date will not see any changes, reflecting that they might be reliant on their current form of transport." No. Drivers of older, more polluting vehicles already pay £12.50 to travel anywhere within the Ultra Low Emission Zone (Ulez), which was expanded to cover all of London's boroughs in August 2023. These latest changes mean if you drive one of these vehicles in central London, it will cost you £30.50 a day. On top of this, if you use either the Silvertown or Blackwall tunnels, that will cost up to £4 each way at peak times. On 17 February 2003, motorists had to pay a charge to drive in central London for the first time, under the mayoralty of Ken Livingstone. It cost £5 and 57,000 had paid by the charge by the afternoon of day one. A western extension to the zone in places such as Kensington and Notting Hill, introduced in 2007, was abolished four years later. By 2011, the cost had doubled to £10 and another £1.50 was added to the fee in 2014. Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to End to discounts for zero-emission vehicles Increased congestion charge to become permanent London congestion charge increase begins
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
'We tested every large SUV you can buy in the UK and came to a surprise verdict'
A group of motoring experts have spent time with every large SUV on sale in the UK and have decided on their top 10, with the winner being a shock to many avid car fans While compact cars have their advantages, they often fall short on practicality. For many, particularly families, the more space, the better. This is where large SUV s come into their own, providing ample room for passengers, pets, and luggage. A panel of motoring experts put the UK's large SUVs to the test, compiling a top 10 of the best models available. The winner, surprisingly, didn't come from a premium brand but from a manufacturer that consistently punches above its weight. In the end, the Skoda Kodiaq emerged victorious, impressing the experts from Auto Express with its exceptional value for money, quality, and practicality. On why they had chosen the Czech model, they said: "The Skoda Kodiaq embodies all that the Czech firm stands for: solid value for money, quality, practicality, and a few little surprises that add to the ownership experience. The Kodiaq is a little unusual in the large SUV sector for still offering a diesel engine, alongside a petrol with mild-hybrid assistance. "The diesels can manage around a combined 50mpg, while you can also have plug-in hybrid power for an electric only driving range of up to 62 miles and a six percent Benefit-in-Kind rate for company users. The Kodiaq is a great long distance cruiser." Securing the runner-up spot was the fully electric Kia EV9. Although the Skoda is competitively priced at £39,000, the Kia's starting price weighs in at a heftier £65,035. Despite the considerable price difference, the specialists were impressed, noting: "The cavernous interior fits seven plus luggage, so there have been minimal compromises in packaging all that EV technology. "The EV9's headline 349-mile range should be more than enough for most owners, and make longer jaunts relatively comfortable, although a figure in the 200s is more realistic, and the EV9's size means it's not especially efficient." While large SUV s have surged in popularity to rival the demand for small hatchbacks seen 20 years ago, their size does not win universal acclaim, reports the Express. Advocates for pedestrian safety and other experts caution that roads may struggle to accommodate the sheer scale of these vehicles, some of which could rival the dimensions of World War I tanks in terms of size and parking challenges. Addressing these concerns in The Guardian, Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities, cautioned that vehicles are outpacing the capacity of urban infrastructure. He stated: "Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. We need carmakers to prioritise normal-sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It's only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up." Concerns are not limited to parking issues - there's also worry about the danger posed to pedestrians in case of an accident involving these behemoth vehicles. Earlier this year, Green Party member of the House of Lords, Jenny Jones, spearheaded a cross-party initiative against SUVs. She remarked: "SUVs pollute and are often owned and driven by wealthier citizens at the expense of those in less wealthy areas. They feel safer to drive, but are much less safe for any pedestrians and cyclists they collide with."
