Congestion charge impact increases in second week
Footfall estimates 6 per cent year-on-year fall
February 26 2003
The effect of London’s congestion charge on the number of shoppers visiting key retailers in central London has increased in the second week of the charge.
FootFall’s central London index shows the number of shoppers was down by more than 6 per cent compared to the same Monday in 2002, in relative terms. The second week of the saw many London schools return after the half term holiday, increasing the amount of traffic on London’s roads, and is seen as the first test of the congestion charge under ‘normal’ conditions.
FootFall marketing manager David Smyth said: “The relative effect of the congestion charge has increased since last Monday by an additional 1.1 per cent as people return to the central area of London following the half term break in the London region.
“From this we can conclude that the congestion charge has had an increased effect so far this week and that things are not yet back to normal.”
The number of shoppers visiting key retailers outside the congestion charge zone during the first week of charging was up just over 2 per cent on the previous week in relative terms on the same period in 2002. The comparable number within the zone, according to was down 3 per cent.
Smyth said: “This figure backs up our earlier estimates last week about the effect that the congestion charge has had and indicates that shoppers have are considering alternative destinations outside the charging zone.
“It should be noted that the effects of the closure of the Central Line, half term holiday and the recent heightened security fears have been factored out of these figures. However we can assume that reports surrounding these issues will have added to the uncertainty that shoppers may feel at the moment. In essence we will have to wait until the Central line is open and half term is over across the country to get a clearer picture of the longer term effect that congestion charging will have.”
