Opponents of tolling New York City's East River Bridges claim that tolls would damage businesses on both sides of the river. But in London, where an $8 fee is charged for entering the central business district, businesses are still expressing overall support for "congestion charging," six months after its introduction.

In August, the business group London First, commissioned a survey of 504 businesses representing large and small companies and all sectors of business.

Of the companies surveyed 49% said that they believe congestion charging is working, 35% remain undecided and 16% think it is not. Almost three-quarters of companies - 71% - say that congestion charging has had no discernible impact on their bottom line. 9% say that it has had a very positive impact and 9% say it has had a very negative impact.

Only 2% of companies say that they would consider relocating to a site outside the zone as a result of congestion charging.

London's congestion charging has reduced traffic by 40%, substantially reduced traffic delays and greatly sped-up bus service.

504 companies took part in the survey which took place in August 2003. They ranged in size from companies employing over 5000 staff to those employing only 1 person. Over a quarter (27%) of the companies surveyed employed 10 or fewer staff; 44% employed 25 or less. All of London's business sectors were surveyed, including professional services, hoteliers, retailers, media and IT companies and education institutions.
For more: www.londonfirst.co.uk/press_centre/
newsreleasedetail.asp?L2=106&NewsReleaseId=2093

Q.1 After six months, do you think that congestion charging is working?

Yes - 49%
No - 16%
Don't know - 35%

Q.2 In your opinion, has the impact of congestion charging on London's economy overall been:

Positive - 17%
Neutral - 29%
Too soon to tell - 37%
Negative - 15%
Other - 2%

Q.3 On a scale, where 1 is very positive, 5 is neutral and 10 is very negative, what discernible effect has congestion charging had on your bottom line?

1 - 9%
2 - 1%
3 - 2%
4 - 1%
5 - 71%
6 - 1%
7 - 2%
8 - 3%
9 - 1%
10 - 9%

Q.4 What has the impact of congestion charging been on London's overall image?

Positive - 34%
Neutral - 35%
Too soon to tell - 16%
Negative - 15%

Q. 5 Where do you think the money being raised from congestion charging is being spent?

Transport - 53%
Don't know - 28%
Environment - 4%
Mayor - 3%
Administration - 2%
Bureaucracy - 2%
Other - 8%

Q.6 In the next year, what aspects of the scheme would you like to see changed?

No change - 46%
Cancel scheme - 12%
Don't know - 11%
Increase size of zone - 5%
Decrease charges - 5%
Improve public transport - 5%
Improve registration/payment - 4%
Increase charges - 3%
Exemptions for key/shift work - 1%
Changes to hours - 1%
Other - 7%

Q.7 After six months, has your overall opinion of the technology behind congestion charging been:

Positive - 28%
Neutral - 53%
Negative - 19%

Q.8 If you are based inside the zone, are you considering relocating to a site outside the congestion charging zone, purely as a result of congestion charging?

Yes - 2%
No - 94%
Don't know - 4%

Q.9 Has your company made any changes to how it operates due to congestion charging?

Yes - 6%
No - 91%
Don't know - 3%