Published Wednesday, February 18, 2004, in The Guardian (UK)

Leader

Capital lessons

In an era when politicians too frequently make policy based on focus
groups and opinion polling, Ken Livingstone's determination to push
ahead with London's congestion charge was an extraordinary
achievement. Now, a year after its introduction, the congestion
charge has confounded those who predicted failure or chaos, or both.

In most cases, the introduction of the daily £5 charge on cars
entering central London has been a great success. Traffic volume into
inner London has fallen by more than expected, and the use of public
transport has risen. There are few, if any, signs of the "rat runs"
at the edges of the zone promised by the more apocalyptic critics.
Even the perennially disgruntled London cab drivers seem to approve of
the 30% improvement in congestion since the £5 charge began.

The congestion charge's very success has seen it raise less money than
expected to fund public transport: £68m in the first year, compared
with Mr Livingstone's original projections of £140m -- although even a
£72m shortfall is relatively small beer in a total London transport
budget of £4bn. Businesses inside the zone continue to complain that
it has hurt their profits, although the evidence is mixed. And the
165,000 penalty notices sent to drivers each month for failing to pay
on time suggests administration needs to be improved.

For the charge to work better, Mr Livingstone should ease the
requirement to pay by midnight of each day. He should also be wary of
expanding the charge zone into the heavily residential areas of west
London, with the danger that receipts could fall even further.

The lesson of London's experience is that politicians can make
difficult and potentially unpopular decisions, in the face of bitter
opposition, and still win round the voting public if the new policy
produces worthwhile results. London's example shows that the
congested streets of other British cities, such as Edinburgh,
Cambridge and Leeds, could benefit hugely from similar schemes -- and
that good policy can also make good politics if the will is there.