► Congestion Charge

02/03 Policy

Valid AULUC 2008

 

CONGESTION CHARGE 

Proposed by: Rhodri Jamieson-Ball [ULU Environment Officer

Seconded by: Claire Wren [ULU V-P Finance & Societies]

 

THIS UNION NOTES

 

1.          The introduction, by the Mayor of London, of a congestion charge in the centre of London;

2.          The presence of a high number of University of London Colleges and Institutes within the Congestion Charge Zone;

3.          The high cost of car ownership;

4.          The continued hardship of students;

5.          The reliance of the majority of students on public transport; and

6.          The negative coverage that Congestion Charging has received in the UK media, which gives the impression that Londoners are against the charge

 

THIS UNION BELIEVES

 

1.          The introduction of the congestion charge is of benefit to a very large number of students by increasing the level of investment in public transport; and

2.          The introduction of the congestion charge will improve, the long journeys that students have to travel to college by reducing congestion on the roads;

3.          The congestion charge is of great environmental benefit to Central London, as well as making London a more pleasant place

4.          The congestion charge also makes it safer for cyclists by making roads quieter; and

5.          That London suffers from the level of unnecessary driving, and that roads should be clear for public transport, deliveries and other important journeys.

 

THIS UNION RESOLVES

 

1.          The President and Environment Officer write to Mayor Ken Livingstone to congratulate him on the successful introduction of the congestion charging and the positive impact that it will have on the lives of students;

2.          ULU campaign for some of the revenue raised from congestion charging be used for an improved service to UL colleges by buses, for making buses safer to use, for an extension of the TfL discount card to ATOC companies and increase in the discount, and for more cycle lanes;

3.          ULU campaign for exemptions for Student Union owned and hired vehicles that are used for student activities; and

4.          ULU recommends in the letter:

That the Congestion Charging Zone be increased so that people are further discouraged from using cars to commute into London, but that main road arteries (eg Euston Rd) remain exempt.

 

PASSED: 28^th April 2003