Press Coverage...

Capita, which is running the (congestion charge) scheme, said 35 UK local authorities are watching its outcome. Capita's chief executive Paul Pindar believes traffic management could ultimately grow into a business as big as the entire group today (2003 sales almost £900m). 'If it works, it will roll out,' he said. Capita is being paid £56m a year by Transport for London and clearly it sees widespread potential.

In the morning, it is expected that drivers will speed through streets to get to the zone before the charge takes effect at 7am. In the evening, incoming drivers will be circulating or lingering around the borders until 6.30pm, when the restriction is lifted. Roads that could be swamped with extra traffic include Tower Bridge Road, Kennington Lane, Vauxhall Bridge Road and through the Rotherhithe Tunnel. And, according to the London Assembly's transport committee, there will be additional rat-running in Southwark, Lewisham, Westminster and on Battersea and Chelsea Bridges. As more motorists take circular routes to avoid the charge, new rat runs will be Warwick Way (SW1), Lisson Grove (NW1), Vallance Road (E1), Portland Street (SE17), Larkhall Lane (SW4), Camley Street (NW1), Elgin Avenue (W9), Royal Hospital Road (SW3), Gloucester Avenue (NW1) and Harford Street (E14).

Ken Livingstone blamed parents on the school run for causing congestion and claimed it is dangerous and anti-social for children to be driven to school..