New York rejects Congestion Charge

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan for a London-style congestion charge to reduce traffic and pollution in Manhattan has been blocked by the State Assembly.

The scheme would have charged most drivers $8 (around £4) to drive below

near the southern edge of Central Park, between 6am and 6pm weekdays. As is the case in London, it would not have applied to cyclists.

Although city officials projected the charge would reduce traffic levels by 6% State Assembly members rejected it on the grounds that it would penalize the poor most and was not ‘transparent’.

When unveiled last year Tony Blair commented the plan would ‘mark out New York as a global leader in the fight against climate change.’ Bloomberg commented ‘It takes a special type of cowardice for elected officials to refuse to stand up and vote with their conscience.’