In the lead-up to the London mayoral election, the debate over a potential pay-per-mile scheme has become a focal point, with accusations flying between incumbent Sadiq Khan and Conservative candidate Susan Hall.
In the lead-up to the London mayoral election scheduled for May 2, the issue of a potential pay-per-mile scheme for road users has sparked controversy and debate among candidates. Sadiq Khan, the incumbent Mayor of London, has been accused by Conservative mayoral candidate Susan Hall of planning to introduce such a charging system. Despite these claims, Khan has consistently denied any intentions of implementing a pay-per-mile scheme, labeling the accusations as misinformation.
The debate intensified with Hall’s promise to scrap not only the proposed pay-per-mile plans but also the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), should she be elected. Her accusations are based on Project Detroit, a Transport for London (TfL) initiative aimed at consolidating various charges such as the ULEZ and congestion charges. Although the project considered the possibility of distance and vehicle type-based charging, Khan has reiterated his stance against the adoption of a pay-per-mile scheme.
Susan Hall’s campaign has particularly highlighted Khan’s previous actions and statements, including a 2017 request to explore per-mile pricing and mentions in his book “Breathe” of planning a new road-user charging system by the decade’s end, suggesting a contradiction in his current denial.
In response to the controversy, fact-checkers have labeled Hall’s claims as “deceptive”, and criticism has been directed at her for refusing to denounce similar investigations into pay-per-mile charges during Boris Johnson’s tenure as Mayor. Hall, while opposing the expansion of the ULEZ, has not committed to completely removing the zone, drawing criticism from other candidates as well.
As the election approaches, polls indicate Khan holds a lead over Hall, with 44% support compared to her 26%. Despite the ongoing debate over transportation policies and environmental charges, Khan remains favored to win a third term as Mayor of London. The controversy over the pay-per-mile scheme underlines the complexities of addressing environmental concerns, congestion, and the fairness of road charges in London.
