Fears Over More London Gridlock

MOST Londoners believe congestion is going to worsen in their city over the next five years.

However they are heavily divided on the best way of beating the jams, according to a YouGov survey for business group London First.

As many as 40% of the 1,055 adults polled said congestion would increase a lot, while 38% believed it would increase a little.

The most popular solution, but with only 29% support, was for a higher congestion charge during the rush hour.

Respondents were split down the middle in terms of whether they should pay a toll to fund new bridges/tunnels in East London across the Thames to ease congestion, with 46% in favour and 43% against.

There were also strong objections to crossings near proposed bridges/tunnels that are currently free for motorists - such as the Blackwall Tunnel - also being subject to a toll to avoid potential delays caused by people switching to toll-free options close by, with 32% in favour and 54% against.

The survey supported a report from London First entitled Jams Today, Jams Tomorrow. The report said Londoners and those who governed in the capital had to accept the reality of new charges.

London First chief executive Baroness Jo Valentine said the threat of further congestion was "bad news for London's competitiveness and for Londoners' overall quality of life".

She went on: "We need a far cleverer congestion charging regime where costs vary more based on those roads and times of day where congestion is worst."

By Press Association reporters