London C-charge hike scrapped

Updated 14.24 Tue Jul 08 2008

Boris Johnson has scrapped a proposed £25 charge on larger vehicles entering central London.

The Mayor of London announced the end of changes to the capital's congestion charge scheme planned by predecessor Ken Livingstone after a legal challenge by Porsche.

"The charge was clearly unfair and was actually going to increase emissions in London" - Andy Goff

The car maker said its Administrative Court case against Mr Livingstone had been a success, adding it had been awarded legal costs expected to amount to a six-figure sum.

Mr Livingstone had planned to raise the charge for vehicles with the highest carbon dioxide emissions to £25 in October.

But Porsche published research that it said showed that the new charge would actually increase car mileage.

Mr Johnson issued a statement saying he was "delighted" to be able to scrap the charge while Mr Livingstone called the news a "further blow" to London's attempts to help tackle climate change.

Porsche managing director Andy Goss said: "The charge was clearly unfair and was actually going to increase emissions in London."

The company said it would donate the legal costs to youth charity Skidz, which helps turn young people away from crime by training them as mechanics.