According to Visit London, a congestion charge was introduced for motor vehicles entering Central London in 2003. London is reported to be the first major city in the world to introduce a congestion charge.
As congestion charges aim to reduce traffic flow at peak times of the day, Visit London reports qualifying motor vehicles are charged if they enter the Central London congestion zone marked on the road with a red circle containing a white C between the hours of 7AM and 6PM. In 2009 the daily cost of London's congestion charge was eight Pounds.
Transport For London claims a congestion charge reduces traffic in areas of heavy traffic and encourages the use of other forms of transport including mass public transport.
London's congestion charge is reported by Transport For London to have removed 70,000 cars from the cities roads and increased daytime use of public transport such as buses by 6 percent during congestion charge times.
According to Transport For London, the congestion charge in London generated 137 million pounds in profit that is required by British law to be reinvested to improve the transport system in the city.
