London Congestion Charge (US Embassy)

[Elspode]

I agree with the need to control traffic in congested, ancient, architecturally significant areas like London. However, if I put myself in the place of a Londoner going out to do some shopping, I'm probably not going to buy nearly as much stuff if I have to carry it back home on the bus. Looking at things like that, perhaps it would be a disincentive to spend as much.

Similarly, when dining or doing something else that I could more easily do in a suburban location since I no longer wish to be gouged to drive into town, maybe I just stay in the 'burbs to be entertained.

If I'm looking to locate a business, perhaps I think twice before putting it somewhere where my customers have to pay through the nose before they even get to my shop/office/whatever.

I guess it just remains to see if the statistics will support these possibilities over time. If so, it will be very safe and comfortable to walk around and look at all the lovely, well preserved, empty buildings.