Mayoral wannabe targets drivers on campaign trail

26 September 2007

VISIT: Boris Johnson and the clogged A102

MAYORAL hopeful Boris Johnson has backed motorists campaigning to stop the congestion charge spreading southwards.

The Henley MP visited Old Dover Road, Charlton, to witness rush hour traffic on the A102 inching towards the Blackwall Tunnel at 8.30am last Thursday.

His visit came ahead of last Saturday's meeting called by the Association of British Drivers (ABD) in Mycenae Road, Westcombe, to rally opposition against congestion charging in Greenwich.

Mr Johnson said: "I don't think it is a solution to impose a car tax on people who need to use the tunnel every day for their work.

"It would take another sizable chunk out of their incomes and you will just get traffic jams filled with posh cars instead."

Transport for London (TfL) is researching traffic solutions for Greenwich council, and suspicion of a congestion charge being introduced has recently consolidated among motorists.

Mr Johnson promised to prioritise transport in the borough should he be elected as mayor.

Roger Lawson, London co-ordinator for the ABD, said: "If Boris stands as a candidate and that is part of his platform, then he might get my vote and many more in Greenwich."

Surveying the congestion on the A102 last week, Mr Johnson said the road's traffic appeared to have worsened since TfL cancelled the tidal flow system. But while Mr Johnson was happy to bash the congestion charge, he refused to take sides over construction of the Thames Gateway Bridge.

He said: "We're looking into it very hard. It raises problems and it solves problems."

Yet in a moment of instinctive populism Mr Johnson appeared to back the bridge when a driver shouted: "We want a bridge! Get us a bridge!"

Mr Johnson waved and shouted back "We're going to sort it out," but added aside "We're going to sort the transport problem, that is."

Mr Johnson finished his visit at Gambardella, an Italian café in Vanbrugh Park, near Blackheath High Girls' School, where he discussed politics with the ward's councillors.

jules.cooper@archant.co.uk