Caroline Pidgeon, Leader of the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Group, commenting on the Mayor’s confirmation that the Western Extension Zone (WEZ) will be abolished from Christmas Eve said:
“This is long overdue and very welcome. The WEZ was a serious mistake from the very outset. The WEZ has diluted the initial aims of the original zone by enticing Londoners to drive into central London on a daily basis.
“It is utter madness that some of richest Londoners can drive into central London for just 80 pence a day when everyone else faces a daily Congestion Charge of £8.
“At the same time communities like Shepherd’s Bush have suffered from extra congestion with vehicles skirting around the Western Extension.
"However the Mayor must not make the mistake of wasting huge amounts of money that it would cost to remove the cameras. New environmental standards are required for vehicles entering into central London and the cameras could play a key role in the creation of a Clean Air Zone for the whole of central London."