New London Mayor to focus on congestion charge shake-up

London's new Mayor Boris Johnson could make a shake-up in the capital's congestion charge one of his first policy decisions.

During his election campaign to take over as Mayor from Ken Livingstone, Mr Johnson pledged to reform the congestion charge and scrap plans for a £25 charge on the most polluting cars entering the charging zone, which was due to be introduced in October.

While, there has been no official word on the move following last Thursday's (May 1) election, there has also been speculation that Mr Johnson could alter the current boundaries of the congestion charge with the western extension, which was introduced in February last year and includes most of the boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster, a possible subject for further consultation.

Already Andy Goss, managing director of Porsche in the UK, has called on Mr Johnson to scrap the proposed £25 charge for gas-guzzlers. Porsche is waging a legal campaign against the measure. (National newspapers: May 5).