Merchants delivering to central London cannot see any benefits from Mayor Ken Livingstone’s plan to hike the daily congestion charge from £5 to £8.
Companies gave their verdict following the end of consultation for the controversial plans, which also include a western extension to the charging zone.
Travis Perkins group transport manager Graham Bellman said: “Travis Perkins offers free delivery to its account customers and the congestion charge simply increases our distribution costs. It also affects the daily travel of staff to our London branches.”
Keith Fryer, director at Clapham-based T Brewer & Co Ltd, said: “We can live with £5 a day but raising it to £8 is a massive increase which we do not think will lead to any improvement on the amount of traffic.”
Mark Tonge, director of logistics and information technology at Finnforest, said the company was not affected much by the existing charging zone but expressed concern if it were to be extended.
The Freight Transport Association, which has made several submissions to Transport for London during the consultation process, said the western extension is “totally unnecessary” and increased charges have “no justification”.
The proposals could be approved by July at the earliest.
