MP challenges C-charge scrapping

Boris Johnson said the charge would hit "families and small businesses"

A Labour MP has tabled a commons motion which condemns the London mayor's decision to scrap the £25 congestion charge for the most polluting vehicles.

London MP Diane Abbot is urging a rethink of the proposals which she said would reduce emissions.

Mayor Boris Johnson said the charge would have increased congestion and cancelling it would save money.

The mayor has also scrapped a proposal to allow some low emission cars free entry to the congestion charge zone.

The motion said the charge would have reduced carbon dioxide emissions and encouraged greater use of public transport.

Fuel crisis

It said: "Dealing with the fuel crisis means people should be encouraged to drive smaller cars and use less fuel.

"If climate change is ever to be successfully tackled considerable changes like the congestion charge must be brought in," it adds.

Following the proposals in February, a Land Rover-commissioned study by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, said the scheme could encourage smaller vehicles to enter the zone, increasing congestion and pollution.

Mr Johnson said abandoning the proposal would save Transport for London (TfL) £10m earmarked for the scheme.

He said his decision was in keeping with his aim to achieve a "fairer and more effective" congestion charge.

"I am delighted that we have been able to scrap the £25 charge, which would have hit families and small businesses hardest.

"I believe the proposal would actually have made congestion worse by allowing thousands of small cars in for free," he said.