ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the reasons for the successful implementation of congestion charging in Central London, whilst other schemes most notably Congestion Metering in the city of Cambridge have failed to advance beyond the trial stage. It offers a background to the congestion charging scheme. The chapter utilises Gunn's preconditions for perfect implementation. It highlights other related factors in terms of the implementation of Central London congestion charging, which has relevance for other authorities world-wide considering such a strategy. London is the first major Western city to have implemented a congestion charging scheme. The idea had been advocated for many years in the United Kingdom but no one anywhere had dared to implement a policy that could encounter strong public opposition. In addition to that there were other concerns linked to equity, unreliable technology, and the invasion of road user's privacy.
