Hostile reception for plan to increase congestion charge

London Mayor Ken Livingstone threatened to increase the congestion charge by at least £1 to £6 this week, causing an outcry among businesses in the capital. The mayor warned Londoners earlier this week to prepare for at least a £1 rise in the daily charge on drivers. But business leaders hit back, saying that any increases in the charge should be suspended until a full economic analysis of the current charge had been completed.

"We're not in favour of the charge increasing because it's still far from clear what the impact on businesses the current charge has," said a spokesman for the CBI. "So far the charge has particularly hit businesses like restaurants, which rely on deliveries."

Bob Cotton, chief executive of the British Hospitality Association, agreed. "We're still waiting to see a full assessment of the first charge. An increase wouldn't be good news for restaurants in the capital - it's just another cost and another problem."

Restaurateur Richard Shepherd of Langan's Brasserie also slammed the proposal. "An increase in the charge will just hit businesses again," he said.