Brighton & Hove has no choice but to look at congestion charging to cut pollution and get cars out of the city centre

10.29.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Jun 2005

A Liberal Democrat Councillor in Brighton and Hove says that the time has come for the serious consideration of congestion charging.

The Lib Dems say that the massive congestion of recent weekends and unacceptably high pollution rates in our communities means that the issue cannot be ignored any longer.

They also argue that with the difficulty of finding an uncontroversial site for Park & Ride on the outskirts of the city, then alternatives need to be considered. The Lib Dems have previously been against congestion charging in the city, however, now say that the city council must be showing leadership on this issue and must at least start a debate on this.

The revenue raised could be used to improve public transport in the City, as in London, providing a clean, efficient and safe alternative to the car.

Lib Dem Group Leader, Councillor Paul Elgood said: 'Getting traffic out of our city centre has to be our number one priority. Other solutions such as Park & Ride look increasingly difficult to achieve. But we cannot go on as we are. We want to see a debate on the use of cars and lorries in the city centre.

'As the carrot isn't working then the stick must be used.

'Congestion charging in London, first proposed by Liberal Democrats, has cut pollution, cut traffic jams and paid for new investment in buses. More cities and towns, where traffic congestion is a problem, should look at this and consider extending congestion charging, linked to upfront investment in better public transport, so millions more have the chance to drive less.

'With no easy solution for a large out of town Park & Ride, it is time for alternatives to be looked at. We should have a proper debate on this to see if there is support and what could be achieved. Pollution is slowly killing our city, and we have reached the point where this cannot be ignored any longer.

'Residents would be largely unaffected - except in terms of cutting pollution and traffic jams - as this would be targeted at out of town visitors, many of whom would probably prefer to use public transport than sit in traffic queues for hour son a sunny afternoon to get into and out of the city centre.

'This would have to be subject to a full referendum, but at least we will be debating solutions to our traffic nightmare. We cannot keep ignoring it.'

The Lib Dems say that residents would be largely unaffected as they could receive a discount, as in London. The zone would be consulted on and could be drawn up to minimise impact on businesses. The cost of the scheme in London is rising on July 4th from £5 to £8. The cost in Brighton and Hove would have to be much less than, say the Lib Dems.