The Labour group on the city council voted to withdraw support for the proposals, citing concerns about the potential adverse impact on low-income families.
The plan had originally called for charging motorists a minimum of £5 to access the city’s roads during peak hours, with estimates suggesting it could generate approximately £26 million annually to fund an expansion of the city’s bus network.
Councillor Mike Davey, the Labour leader of Cambridge City Council, told the BBC that while his group supported certain aspects of the proposal, it ultimately faced insurmountable challenges. Davey stated that “the rug was pulled” when the Liberal Democrats raised additional concerns, sealing the fate of the congestion charge plans.
While Cambridge City Council has put the congestion charge on hold, it stresses that it remains committed to addressing the pressing issue of traffic congestion in the city.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) celebrated the decision by Cambridge City Council to drop the congestion charge proposal. Under the original plan, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and coaches could have faced charges of up to £50 to enter the city. The RHA had actively campaigned against the proposal, arguing that it would impose undue financial burdens on businesses and communities.
Chris Ashley, RHA Policy Lead for Environment & Vehicles, expressed his support for the decision, highlighting the need for a reevaluation of the approach to tackling air quality and congestion. Ashley emphasized that effective solutions must avoid causing financial hardships for businesses and communities while striving for environmental improvements.
Photo credits @ Toby Speight, licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.