By reducing the ov06-Aug-2009reasing the efficiency with which it circulates, the congestion charging scheme has been directly responsible for reductions in central London, between 2003 and 2006, of approximately 6% for NOx, 7% per year for PM10 and 1% year for CO2.

Furthermore, 14.9m litres of fuel saved per year in central London, 21.5m in Inner and 12m in Outer London (considering £8 charge per day).

TfL estimated the impact of the extension scheme on emissions. The degree of change from the scheme was found to be less intense than for the original central London scheme between 2002 and 2003. The results are as follows:

2.5% reduction in emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx); 4,2% reduction in particulate matter (PM10); and 6.5% reduction in emissions of carbon dioxide (based on 24-hour annual average day).

The result of a post-implementation survey showed an increase in bus patronage in relation to the western extension over 2006, and importantly, that these increases are being satisfactorily accommodated by additional bus service provision.

The results from TfL’s regular Central Area Peak Count survey of bus passengers entering central London indicate that in 2007, 113,000 passengers were found entering central London in the morning peak period. The number of passengers entering central London has been stable over the last four years.

In 2006, the number of collisions involving personal injury within the original charging zone increased by 6% overall. On the Inner Ring Road, level of accidents fell by 6% during charging hours.

21% reduction in congestion within the original charging zone comparing to pre-charge levels (70,000 fewer cars a day)

14% reduction in traffic entering the Western Extension (30,000 fewer cars a day).

6% increase in bus passengers during charging hours.

12% increase in cycle journeys into the Western Extension.

£137m being raised, in the financial year 2007/08, to invest back into improving transport in London

The number of Penalty Charge Notices issued during 2006 and 2007 has increased due to introduction of the western extension in February 2007. Even though the volume of notices issued have increased, ongoing public information campaigns and the increases in understanding of the scheme imply that on average, 96% of chargeable vehicles that enter the zone are compliant with the scheme.

Valid daily charges increase from 100,000 on average up to 150,000 after introduction of western extension in February 2007. The overall downwards trend also was a result of the increase to the standard daily charge from £5 to £8 in July 2005. The extension of the zone also led to an increase in fleet scheme payments; from 15,000 valid charges per day to an average of 20,000.

One in six persons surveyed responded they were better off and just over one in six stated they were worse off as a result of charging. Six in ten London residents felt that the scheme had made no difference to them.

Londoners survey showed that 43% of respondents were more likely to think that they had lost out as a result of charging but also more likely to say that they had gained (19%). 59% of drivers who ever drive into the extension zone were also more likely to say that they had lost out as a resul of charging

A survey carried out after implementation showed the following:

17% of Western extension users and 31% of London residents believe air quality and the environment have improved.

11% of Western extension users believe personal safety on public transport has improved.

9% of Western extension users perceive parking provision as better.

28% of Western extension users and 33% of London residents claim that bus service supply is better.

27% of Western extension users and 34% of London residents believe bus journey times have decreased.

9% of Western extension users perceive underground provision as improved.

32% of Western extension users and 26% of London residents perceive the level of traffic congestion and journey times as improved.

Of the residents surveyed, however:

10% of Western extension users and 4% of London residents believe air quality and the environment have deteriorated.

12% of Western extension users perceive personal safety on public transport as worse.

14% of Western extension view parking provision as poorer.

8% of Western extension users and 3% of London residents believe that bus service supply has deteriorated.

10% of Western extension users and 4% of London residents claim bus journey times have increased.

11% of Western extension users perceive underground provision as worse.

14% of Western extension users and 6% of London residents view the level of traffic congestion and journey times as poorer.

In addition, a decline was observed in car driver trips with an origin outside and a destination inside the extension zone from traffic counts and roadside interviews.

The aggregate volume of trips made into the original congestion charging zone from the western extension increased after the introduction of charging scheme.

Research showed that approximately half of drivers who resident outside of the extension zone, chose to pay the full charge to continue driving in the western extension zone.