Same-day distribution firm CitySprint has called for the London Congestion Charge to be tiered. It says this will help firms making essential deliveries if a proposed price hike does come into force.
CitySprint spent more than £1m to enter central London last year, and the proposed near 17% increase for fleet users put forward by TfL in January is likely to cost it an extra £160,000 a year.
At a recent meeting with TfL, the parcel carrier called for a tiered system to be introduced rather than the blanket price increase being proposed. It said this should take into account those making essential deliveries of items such as blood samples, business documents or spare parts.
It also said more consideration should be given to vehicle size and argued that companies running smaller CVs should pay a smaller increase than those with larger vehicles because their vehicles require less room on the roads.
CitySprint chief executive Patrick Gallagher said: “We totally get why we need the congestion charge in London. What we are against is a blanket increase that hits the essential journeys keeping London working and prosperous.
“As businesses start to emerge from the downturn, this is the last thing they need and we are calling on TfL and the mayor to apply some common sense.”
If TfL’s proposed changes are approved, the standard daily congestion charge rate would rise from £10 to £11.50 in June, and the fleet user rate for six vehicles or more would increase from £9 to £10.50.
TfL’s consultation into the plans closes on 14 March.
